SOURCE: Perseus Dance Vase

Question 1

When is this vase dated ?

Answer 1

420 BC- it’s damaged fragment from ‘red figure’ Chorus wine jug
Only Attic vase showing stage and only Greek painting portraying theatre audiences

Question 2

What is the significance of this source ?

Answer 2

• Perseus- we can see the sickle used to behead Medusa and the bag which would have stored her head to stop others
  2) weeks see lines around wrists and ankles suggest possible usage of a ‘nude suit’ as it would have been inappropriate to be nude upon stage so this could therefore be a way around that, possibly that is as a comedic depiction of the hero
• evidence of prohedria ? The wooden construction of the seat matches that of the theatre of Dionysus which was wooden until 4th century BC giving us evidence for the seating version pre stone construction
• proximity between Perseus and audience indicates audience interaction with those on stage within plays and performances
• only vase depicting a stage within ancient Athens combined with the fact it’s the only vase that also depicts the audience makes it considerably more useful for our understanding into Greek Theatre

Question 3

What are the limitations of this source ?

Answer 3

• The small number of audience members provides us with a lack of evidence of how many ordinance members would have attended a pay.
• To fit artistic license, it’s possible that the orchestra has been removed making it in a limitation as it brings into question how much audience interaction would occur in a play.
• we are not given a clear statement or understanding as to who the audience members may be and therefore left questioning. Are they important officials, is it the judges, is it the choregio
• The source itself is heavily fragmented and damaged meaning the reconstruction could be inaccurate and details may have been lost. In addition the source has been heavily damaged over time which could limit or understanding of ancient theatre.