Greek Theatre Flashcards
What was the City Dionysia?
A major Athenian festival in honor of Dionysus, featuring dramatic competitions in tragedy, comedy, and satyr plays
How long did the City Dionysia last, and what happened each day?
Day 1: Procession and sacrifices.
Day 2: Dithyrambic contests (choral performances).
Days 3-5: Tragic and satyr play competitions.
Day 6: Comedy competition and judging.
Where were Greek plays performed, and what was its significance?
At the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens, a large open-air theatre on the south slope of the Acropolis, central to Athenian drama.
Name the three main parts of a Greek theatre and their function.
Orchestra: Circular space for the chorus.
Skene: Backdrop building for scenery and entrances/exits.
Theatron: Seating area for the audience.
What were the main functions of the chorus in Greek tragedy?
Commented on the action.
Provided background information.
Interacted with characters.
Set the play’s mood.
What were the key features of Greek actors?
All actors were male.
Wore masks to show character and emotions.
Used exaggerated movements for clarity.
What are the key features of Greek tragedy?
Noble protagonists facing fate.
Themes of hubris, fate, and the gods.
Use of dramatic irony.
Playwrights: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides.
What are the main characteristics of Greek comedy?
Satirical, often political.
Used crude humor and slapstick.
Playwrights: Aristophanes (Old Comedy), Menander (New Comedy).
Who were the three great tragedians, and what are their key works?
Aeschylus: The Oresteia (first surviving trilogy).
Sophocles: Oedipus Rex, Antigone.
Euripides: Medea, The Bacchae.
What is the central theme of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles?
Fate vs. free will – Oedipus tries to escape his prophecy but ultimately fulfills it.
What is Medea’s motivation in Euripides’ Medea?
Revenge against Jason for betraying her by marrying another woman.
What were satyr plays, and when were they performed?
Short, comedic plays performed after tragedies to provide comic relief, featuring satyrs (half-man, half-goat creatures).
How was Greek theatre linked to Athenian democracy?
It was funded by wealthy citizens, attended by all social classes, and often contained political themes or satire.
Why was Dionysus important in Greek theatre?
He was the god of wine, fertility, and drama, and theatre was a religious festival in his honour.
Could women perform in Greek theatre?
No, all roles were played by men, though women could attend some performances.
“The chorus is essential to understanding Greek tragedy.”
✅ Agree:
Provides exposition and commentary.
Enhances dramatic tension (e.g., in Oedipus Rex).
Represents collective Athenian views.
❌ Disagree:
Sometimes interrupts action (e.g., in Medea).
Importance declined over time (Euripides reduced choral influence).
“Greek theatre was primarily a form of political commentary.” To what extent do you agree?
✅ Agree:
Aristophanes’ comedies (Lysistrata, The Clouds) openly criticize Athenian leaders.
Tragedies like Antigone question laws vs. divine will.
❌ Disagree:
Many plays focused on mythological or moral themes.
Not all playwrights had overtly political messages (Euripides focused on individual psychology).
“The gods are central to the impact of Greek drama.” How far do you agree?
✅ Agree:
Fate and divine intervention drive plots (Oedipus Rex, Bacchae).
Religious setting of performances reinforces divine presence.
❌ Disagree:
Some plays focus more on human responsibility (Medea – Medea’s revenge is her own decision).
Athenians valued reason and debate as much as divine influence.
“Greek comedy was as serious as Greek tragedy.” How far do you agree?
✅ Agree:
Aristophanes tackled serious issues (war in Lysistrata).
Comedy reinforced democratic values through satire.
❌ Disagree:
Comedy was primarily entertainment (The Frogs mocks playwrights).
Tragedy explored deep human suffering (Medea, Oedipus Rex).
“Greek tragedy is sympathetic to women.” Do you agree?
✅ Agree:
Medea shows the struggles of women in a patriarchal society.
Antigone presents a strong, defiant female character.
❌ Disagree:
Women were often punished for defiance (Medea loses everything).
Male playwrights wrote these plays for a male audience.
“Greek theatre is religious at its core.” Discuss.
✅ Agree:
Performed during the City Dionysia, a festival for Dionysus.
Themes of divine will and fate are central to tragedy.
❌ Disagree:
Many plays deal with human decisions and social issues.
Comedy often mocked the gods (The Frogs satirises Dionysus himself).
Dionysus in The Bacchae (Euripides)
Comedic and Cowardly: He is depicted as weak, foolish, and even scared of simple things.
Parody of the God: Unlike his powerful role in The Bacchae, here he disguises himself and bumbles through the Underworld.
More Human-Like: He has doubts, makes mistakes, and is mocked by other characters, especially his slave, Xanthias.
Dionysus in The Frogs (Aristophanes)
Comedic and Cowardly: He is depicted as weak, foolish, and even scared of simple things.
Parody of the God: Unlike his powerful role in The Bacchae, here he disguises himself and bumbles through the Underworld.
More Human-Like: He has doubts, makes mistakes, and is mocked by other characters, especially his slave, Xanthias.
Ingram - Bacchae
“he is both man and god, both liberator and destroyer.”
Dover - Frogs
“a comic figure, used to mock both gods and men, exposing the absurdity of those in power.”
