Theatre

Question 1

What did actors wear? (7)

Answer 1

• Heavy/ stiff robes
• masks with human hair covering face
• patterned robes/ cloak
• kothornoi- special shoes with cothurneses (platform shoes) (in tragedies)
• otherwise wore ordinary shoes
• prosterneda - wooden structure stuck to chest to imitate breasts
• Phalluses

Question 2

Why did actors wear the costumes they did (5 pieces of costume, a 1-3 reasons for each)

Answer 2

Masks- for added acoustics, changing character, and letting the audience recognise each character
Robes- to show the status of character - materials and patterns, disguise the gender of an actor
Kothornio- tragic actors to elevate themselves over other actors, to be seen better by the audience.
Prosterneda- to show that a character was female (all actors male)
Phalloi- to show a comical male satyr

Question 3

Name props an actor would have used,and the characters they would use these to portray. (5)

Answer 3

Crown- king
Lyre- musician
Walking stick- old/ injured
Caduceus - messenger
Spears and helmets- military men

Question 4

What was an ekkyklêma?

Answer 4

Ekkyklêma—Literally, “wheel out,” a large wheeled platform that could be rolled out to display scenes that had taken place beyond the view of the spectators (usually the results of violent acts since those never took place on stage).

Question 5

What was a mêchanê/ krane?

Answer 5

Mêchanê/Krane—Literally, “machine,” a crane-like device used to lift actors, allowing performers to appear in the air or to enter dramatically from behind the skene (which was a common method of portraying the gods).