History of Theatre Flashcards
What were some characteristics of the rites and rituals/ceremonies in the primitive phase of theatre?
old year vs. new, summer vs. winter, barrenness vs. fertility, light vs. dark; life is about polarities, the tragedy and conflict
What is the city Dionysia?
the theatre itself as well as the festival of drama every spring
What are dithyrambic odes?
songs, chants, hymns sung in Dionysus honor
Who is Thespis?
B. 560 B.C. the first actor, he stepped out of the chorus
What is the origin of the name “tragedy”?
tragedoi - the dark side of Dionysus worshippers
What is the structure of classical tragedy?
- prologue - intro information/exposition 2. parados - first official entrance of the chorus 3. episodes - dramatic moments/scenes 4. stasima - choral stage directions (strophe/antistrophe) 5. exodus- the final exit by the chorus
What are the strophe and antistrophe?
choral stage directions, strophe - right to left and antistrophe - left to right
What is the epode?
final lyrical passage after the strophe and antistrophe
What are the ritual elements of tragedy?
- Agon - struggle/conflict 2. Pathos - the suffering/ death of hero/demon/deity/god 3. Messener - elaborates and brings news of death 4. Threnos - lamentations for losses, losses of the protagonist 5. Anagnoresis - tragic recognition 6. Theophany - ressurection/epiphany
What are the Attic Festivals?
- Rural Dionysia (Dec.) 2. Lenaca (Jan.) - comedy 3. Anthesteria (Feb.) 4. City Dionysia (Mar.) - tragedy
What is the structure of the Festival Dionysia?
- Archon - person in charge of festival, selects the three playwright, and appoints the choregus 2. Choregus - wealthy citizen appointed to pay the expenses of the productions (1 per play) 3. Statutory Tetralogy - trilogy plus one satyr play
What is the only existing Statutory Tetralogy today?
The “Oristea”, by Aeschylus
What is the structure of the Greek Theatre (our knowledge based on)?
- Vitruvius “de Architectura”, author discussed architecture of the theatres 2. Ruins of specific theatres 3. Plays extant
What are the different parts that make up the theatre physically?
orchestra, thymele, theatron, skene
What is the orchestra?
circullar area where the chorus was positioned throughout the course of the play
What is the thymele?
the altar that was carried into the orchestra during the festival , with an image of DIonysus
What is the theatron?
the seating section, today known as the audiorium
What is the skene?
the scenic backdrop (scene hut)
What is the para-skene?
entrance passage ways used by the chorus, side wings to the stage, ahd steps so they could descend into the orhestra
That is the eccyclema?
platform on wheels, most likely pulled through skene doorway to center stage and depicted tableau
What is the mechane?
“deus ex machina” god from machine; it was a crane/pully system that flew actors onto the stage
What is a periaktoi?
A three sided “prism” with a pole for rotation, each side had scenery, rotated to change scenes
What is a pinakus?
flats, painted walls (made of canvas and wood) that depicted scenery
Who is the protagonist?
the central characters
Who is the deuteroganist?
second strongest actor - plays several characters
Who is the tritagonist?
third strongest actor (plays other small parts)
What is a cothurnus or buskin?
footwear, thick soled boots that raised the stature of the actor by inches, made them more visible
What is a chiton?
A long flowy robe worn by the actor, shoulderpads included
What is the himaton?
A long flowing cloak worn over the chiton
What is the onkos?
a crown/headdress worn on the actor’s head, indicated status of character
What are masks?
they cover the actors face to create a persona, it is possible there was a megaphone inside to help magnify the sound
What is a phallus?
A physical representation of a penis
What is some basic info about the role of the phallus in greek culture?
the personification of a phallus was Phales, a deity. comedy evolved from fertility rights and it was believed that the penis had magical powers.
What is the stage proper?
Stage area where the performance would take place
Agon
Struggle/conflict
Messenger
Brings news of death and other events that can’t be shown onstage
Pathos
The suffering of the hero/god
Anagnoresis
Tragic recognition
Threnos
Lamentations for the losses of the protagonist
Theophrastus
Resurrection/epiphany
Tragic recognition
The hero learning something within the play
Chlamys
Short cloak worn over the chiton
