SOURCE schiller krater

Question 1

Is the Schiller Kramer an accurate depiction of how a scene was dedicated on stage ?

Answer 1

• We can see the direct reference to play e.g. mirror in the centre of the depiction however this would not have been present on stage in the scene that is allegedly depicted
• The depiction of feet within the wine skin certainly reinforces the idea that the scene being depicted is in fact the stealing of the baby and most definitely is a vivid reference to this specific point within the play. This is useful because it is depicting the scene.
• The addition of a “wig” depicted on top of the woman in the form of a bail conveys the notion that the male actor is playing a woman.Moreover, the lack of wig up upon the figure on the right highlights how this fail with a certainly encouraged audience members to view them as a female character.

Question 2

How do we know the ‘woman’ is a woman ?

Answer 2

Most male characters depicted bearded yet the clean shaven depiction indicates its likely a male playing a woman

Question 3

When is the Schiller Krater dated ?

Answer 3

380-370 BC

Question 4

Who is the artist ?

Answer 4

The Schiller painter

Question 5

Why is this important ?

Answer 5

It’s a vase that adds validity to the claim that we should not assume all vases are accurate depictions of events on stage

Question 6

What play is it from ?

Answer 6

Aristophanes comedy Women at the Thesmkohpria in 411 BC

Question 7

Why is the location important ?

Answer 7

Vase bears witness to the knowledge of Athenian comedy in Magna Graecia meaning if the play was properly understood then it was at least re performed in southern Italian theatre suggesting his plays were well known in this region

Question 8

What is the significance of the Schiller krater?

Answer 8

• southern Italian vase from a comedy by Aristophanes: shows the spread of Athenian drama
• we direct reference to play Eg mirror in the centre of depiction however this would not have been on stage during the scene
• depiction of feet on wine skin reinforces idea that the scene being depicted is in fact the stealing of the baby and most definitely is a guide reference to the point in the play
• addition of a ‘wig’ depicted on the woman in the form of a girl conveys the notion of male playing woman. Lack of wig on figure on left encouraged audience members to view those with wigs as women

Question 9

What are the limitations of this sources usefulness ?

Answer 9

• the vase does not depict one scene, takes inspiration from multiple including elevators dressing scene where the relative is shaved and dressed as a women clearly visible in the paint. Not have occurred at the same time as women having Abby snatched
• being portrayed close to 40 years after the original performance likely certain details lost or misinterpret by the artists meaning we lack a fully accurate depiction