Greek Theater Flashcards
Athens’ first and
largest theatre, with a seating capacity of 17,000 people.
Theater of Dionysus
Greek god of wine and fertility
Dionysus
A circular stage where the chorus would dance, sing, and interact with actors.
Orchestra
The building directly behind the stage
Skene
This is usually built into the hillside and is where spectators sat.
Theatron
The chorus and some actors use this to enter and exit the stage.
Parodos
“Passageways”
Parodos
“Viewing-Place”
Theatron
“Tent”
Skene
“Dancing Space”
Orchestra
The origins of tragedy, comedy, and satiric drama is traced back to this spring festival.
City Dionysia
The city official who chooses the poets to compete
The Archon
This is a wealthy man who would pay for and organize the production that the government couldn’t or wouldn’t provide.
Choregos
How many tragedies and satire play would be required for each poet?
3 tragedies and 1 satire play.
The only complete trilogy of tragedy play that has survived.
Aeschylus’ Oresteria
What are the 4 festivals held to worship Dionysus?
The City Dionysia, the Anthesteria, the
Lenaia, and the Rural Dionysia
What are the 5 qualities of Greek drama?
*Performed only on special occasions. *Especially on the 4 festivals worshiping Dionysus. *Competitive among actors and playwrights. *has a Chorus or Choral. *Strongly associated with religion such as myths and history.
the first phase of ancient Greek comedy during the 5th century BC
Old Comedy
He was the first master of comedy.
Aristrophanes
He wrote comedies about ordinary people much later, and his plays became more like sitcoms
Menander
This is where the leading character conceives a “happy” idea”
Prologue
The Chorus takes up a position either for or against the hero
Parode (Entrance Ode)
The two speakers debate the issue, and the first speaker loses. Choral songs may occur towards the end.
Agon (Contest)
The chorus members remove their masks
and step out of character to address the audience. The Chorus leader will then chant about relevant issues and event.
Parabasis (Coming Forward)
4 parts of a choral performance
Ode, Epirrhema (Afterword), Antode Answering Ode), Antepirrhema (Answering Afterword)
Sung by one half of the chorus and addressed to a god.
Ode
A satiric or advisory chant
Eppirhema (Afterword)
An answering song by the other half of the chorus in
the same meter as the ode
Antode (Answering Ode)
An answering chant by the leader of the
second half-chorus, which leads back to the comedy.
Antepirrhema
As in tragedies, but primarily elaborating on the outcome of the agon.
Episode
As in tragedy, but with a mood of celebration and with a riotous revel (cômos), joyous marriage, or both.
Exode (Exit Song)
Love, loss, pride, power abuse, and the tumultuous
relationship between men and gods were all central
themes of …?
Tragedy
He is known as the “Father of Tragedy”
Aeschylus
He introduced a ‘third actor’, allowing for even more
complex dramatic situations on stage.
Sophocles
He reduced the
role of the chorus in his plays.
Euripides
He was a philosopher of Ancient Greece and one of the world’s greatest thinkers. He is
often regarded as the father of Western philosophy
Aristotle
“Three Unities” proposed by Aristotle, which is a formula for dramatic playwrighting.
Time, Place, Action
These short plays were performed in between acts of tragedies and poked fun at the characters’ plight.
Satyr/Satire plays
According to a myth, he was a priest of
Dionysus, a nature god of fruitfulness, fertility, and vegetation. He was known to have a skill in dancing and music. And he was considered as the first Actor
Thespis
Thespians
another term for actors and actresses
Thespians
another term for actors and actresses
A group of people that represent a demographic or group of people, draws the audience in, expresses a characters’ inner
thoughts, and gives the main actor a time to be offstage
Group Chorus/ Greek Chorus
