Introduction to the Theatre

THE 101 / University of Idaho

Greek Civilization & Drama

Historical Background:

Ionians             Merchant Traders / Sailors

Civilization Grounded in Maslow’s Needs Hierarchy:

            Five Tiers of Building Human Needs

Rituals and aspects of Dionysus represent these needs.

Dionysus is the God of Wine / Fertility / Crops / Germination / Yield.

Rituals began as gatherings in threshing circles at harvest time, designed to give hanks and prayers to Dionysus.   These rituals were the re-inactments and story telling of the death and resurrection of Dionysus.   They were called a Choric Dithyramb.   The Choric Dithyramb was a ritual in which supplicants sang songs and sacrificed goats.   The tragoida or ‘final goats song’ develops into the word for Greek drama, tragedy.

Ritual Symbols

The ritual (Choric Dithyramb) is said to have developed into a bigger & bigger spectacle with the priest on the alter taking on the lions share of story telling and the acolytes eventually serving the role of the chorus.

In 534 BCE Thespis created ‘characterization’ and thus became the first "actor".   The Greek name for actors was hypocrites and traditionally actors are called thespians.

Greek Civilization was philosophical (Man is the Ultimate measure)

Education was available for all Greek Men.

Important Greek Concepts:

Political City States create a division of power (eg. Attica / Athens)

Initiates Competitive Spirit in Commerce, Sports, and Art

In addition it fuels the Peloponnesian Wars (404-490 BCE)

 Theatrically, the concept of City States creates dramatic competitions.   The City Dionysia in Athens offered 5 Days of celebration, composed of 3 days of plays, where each day presented 3 tragedies + 1satyr play of a particular playwright.

 These festivals were managed by an appointed government official called the archon.

The companies were also protected financially by a Choregos or ‘angel’.

Audiences :segregated and unruly (Football)

Playwrights:

Aeschylus - 2nd Actor / Dialogue (pro/ant)

Sophocles - 3rd Actor /Dynamics and Scenery

Euripides - Reactionary and ‘Drama’

Aristophanes – Comedy

Greek Theatrical Conventions:

Costumes:

Theatron:  ("Seeing Place")