Tragedy Flashcards
what did tragedy originate from
the Dithyramb
when were Satyr plays put on
after tragedy to provide comic relief
what were Satyr plays
Light hearted parodies of tragedies
what was Aeschylus famous for
Introducing a second speaking actor on the stage
How many plays did Aeschylus write and how many survived
he wrote 80 and just 6 survived
what is Aeschylus mocked for in Frogs
writing long and tedious dramas full of long sentences
when was Aeschylus alive
525-456BC
what is a criticism of Aeschylus’ work
His language was dense
when was Sophocles alive
496-406BC
what two things was Sophocles famous for
- supposedly introduced the third speaking actor.
- increased chorus from 12 to 15 members
how many contests did Sophocles win
at leat 18 and didn’t come third in anything
how many plays did Sophocles write and how many survived?
He wrote 120+ but only 7 survive
what did Sophocles change with backstories of characters
Rather than doing a ‘whats happened so far’, Sophocles made it more natural by incorporating background into the play
how many speaking actors were there on stage
three
how big were choruses
usually made up of 15 citizens
how seriously was chorus training taken?
so seriously that they were relieved of military service
role of chorus (actor)
Chorus were usually part of the action, typically portraying towns folk
role of chorus (Scene setting)
choral odes sometimes gave the audience important background information
role of chorus (Commentator)
the chorus often stepped back from the actors and offered a commentary or moral opinion on the events of the play
role of chorus (Wider context)
the chorus put the events of the play into a broader context by connecting them to other myths
role of chorus (Background mood)
- acting like the soundtrack to a modern film
- Could build suspense before an act of violence or lament a death
role of chorus (Scene break)
creating a break for actors to change and prepare for their next scene
what is a monody
Often sung at times of great distress or intensity
what is a Kommos
A sung dialogue between actor and chorus at moments of heightened emotion during the play
Typical features of masks
- typically solemn expressions
- openings for eyes and mouth
- made of wood or cork
what is a chilton
full length tragic robe
what is a Himation
Knee length tragic robe
features of Tragic costumes
Costumes were: close fitting, ornate, colourful and had sleeves
what are kothorinoi
knee high leather boots
Drawbacks of using Aristotles ‘Poetics’
- written a century after many tragic plays known to us
- Don’t know if 5th century Athenians shared his view
- At times its unclear what he mens in his text
Aristotles definition of a tragic hero
a person who is not outstanding in either virtue or behaviour, who falls into bad fortune through not vice or wickedness, but through some mistake (hamartia), one of those who ejoys great reputation and prosperity
3 key elements to a good tragedy according to Aristotle
suffering, recognition and reversal
