Conventions of Theatre Flashcards
Basic Structure of Plot
the basic structure of an ancient consists of alternating episodes (spoken dialogue between actors) and choral odes (songs with dancing performed by the chorus)
Define proglogue
the opening of the play which sets the scene
define parados
the fist ode which the chorus perform while entering the theatre
Messenger speech
Important events in tragedy usually off-stage and are reported by a messenger. The messenger speech allows the audiences imagination to run wild with grisly images.
the Agσn
a formal debate, meaning competition and gives the english ‘agony’. it allows the playwright to showcase opposing arguments, and allowed the playwright to show the rhetoricians
Define sticomythia
a dialogue in which two characters speak alternate lines of verse. this makes exchanges punchy, and is particularly appropriate for an Agσn.
Define Parabis
a section of a comedy in which the chorus addresses the audience directly, speaking in the voice of the playwright. the topic does not need to relate to the topic of the play and usually deals with current affairs
lyric
the sung sections of a play. Choral odes are always composed in lyric, and accompanied by dancing, but the characters sometimes also sing in lyric at particularly emotional moments
the chorus
A chorus was made up of 15 ordinary citizens. In both Oedipus and Bacchae, we have choruses with strong views on the action. In oedipus they are loyal to Oedipus and play Thebans. Whereas in Bacchae are the bacchants. In frogs there are two choruses, one which is frogs and and the others are the initiates who have opinions throughout the play and this chorus would be 24 members who would split across the two choruses
Actors
all actors were males, in any tragedy there were no more than three actors with speaking parts, so many actors would double-up. in a comedy they may be a fourth actor.
Masks
they were slightly larger than life-size to make the actor more visible, and tragic masks were typically painted with solemn expressions for tragedy. made of linen, cork or wood and had openings for eyes and mouth as well as some hair. for comedy they were designed to make the actors look ridiculous and build up the farce. facial features were grossly exaggerated and mouths were ridiculously large.
Costumes
in the absence of lighting costumes were also important. the Chiton was a full length robe over a shorter cloak and a himation which reached down to the knees, tragic costumes were closely fitted and were ornate and colourful. A comic actor wore a short tunic and a cloak reaching below waist and tights, thickly padded so that he seemed shorter. another key element was leather phallus for comedy
