Tragedy And Comedy

Question 1

What is the main theatre in Athens?

Answer 1

The theatre Dionysus.

Question 2

What is the seating area known as?

Answer 2

The theatron.

Question 3

How was the theatron designed?

Answer 3

It was cut out of the steep slopes and designed to seat more than 15,000. The rise gave a good view and gave great acoustics.

Question 4

What was the acting area divided into?

Answer 4

The orchestra, the parodoi, the proskene and the skene.

Question 5

What happened in the orchestra?

Answer 5

The chorus sang and acted.

Question 6

What was in the middle of the orchestra?

Answer 6

Altar.

Question 7

What was the parodoi?

Answer 7

Entrance pathways on either side of the stage which both the chorus and audience entered through.

Question 8

What was the proskene?

Answer 8

Located at the back of the orchestra, it was a raised stage.

Question 9

What was the skene?

Answer 9

Located behind the proskene it was a wooden building. Actors would change in this building, and it was a place for the storage props. In front of the skene was a set of central double doors, which usually represented the entrance to a building.

Question 10

What did the Greeks rely on to make the experience enjoyable?

Answer 10

Daylight, acoustics and the audience’s willingness to go along with the illusion.

Question 11

What devices were used?

Answer 11

Ekkyklema, mechane, thunder machine.

Question 12

What did the ekkyklema do?

Answer 12

A wood platform on wheels brought out onto stage through the main door, which portrayed something which had happened indoors (usually a death).

Question 13

What did the mechane do?

Answer 13

A crane positioned on the left hand side of the skene; it was operated off stage by pulled and ropes and was used to hoist characters into the air above the roof. Most commonly, a god was elevated to make an appearance at the end of the play to sort out human affairs.

Question 14

What was the thunder machine?

Answer 14

Made of sheet metal which was shaken to make a thunder sound.

Question 15

What did the main tragedy actor do?

Answer 15

Usually a hero who suffered a major catastrophe and has to cope as bravely as possible.

Question 16

Describe tragedy masks.

Answer 16

Generally painted with grand and solemn expressions. Made of linen, cork or wood and had openings for eyeholes and the mouth. Larger than life size and complete with a wig. Mouth hole projected voice. Large size provided good visibility for audience.

Question 17

Describe the tragic tunic.

Answer 17

Full length robe which was worn over a shorter cloak. Closely fitted, had sleeves and was often ornate and colourful, with rich patchwork of different patterns. Able to move around without tripping. Sleeves allowed men to play women as they had hairy arms. Ankle length robes also allowed women to be portrayed.

Question 18

What footwear was worn by tragic actors?

Answer 18

Soft leather boots, which reached to the thigh. Covered up hair so helped portray women.

Question 19

What did paupers wear?

Answer 19

Plainer robes.

Question 20

What did mourners wear?

Answer 20

Black.

Question 21

What did soldiers wear?

Answer 21

Armour.

Question 22

What did barbarians wear?

Answer 22

Trousers.

Question 23

How many and what did the chorus play in tragedy?

Answer 23

15, usually townsfolk who watched the main action of the play, sometimes commenting on it, sometimes giving the audience background information, and sometimes creating a mood of tension or suspense in the build up to a vital moment.

Question 24

What happened in comedies usually?

Answer 24

Set in everyday Athens and made fun of the city’s people, particularly its politicians and well-known public figures. The was lots of bawdy behaviour and rude jokes in comedies.

Question 25

Describe the comic masks.

Answer 25

Designed to make the actors look stupid and built up an element of force in the play. Sometimes based on real people.

Question 26

Describe the tunic and cloak of comic actors.

Answer 26

Both were short reaching just below the waist. Normally had a phallus protruding for comic effect.

Question 27

What footwear did the comic actors wear?

Answer 27

Thin soled shoes. Sometimes didn’t wear any. They also wore tights which were oversized and padded to create wrinkles.

Question 28

How did the comic costumes create comedy?

Answer 28

The whole costume was thickly padded, especially around the belly and buttocks which made the actor seem shorter and rounder than in real life. It also enabled him to fall and roll around, as comedies relied on physical humour and slapstick. It was iconic for the oversized phallus which may have been attached by string to the tunic.

Question 29

How many and what did comedy chorus do?

Answer 29

24, often played animals. Anything to make the situation more silly.