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Theater 10 - Final - Chapter 13
Greek Theater
13
Film, Theatre & Television
Undergraduate 1
06/02/2009

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Term
Golden Age of Greece
Definition
5th Century BC
Term
Dionysus
Definition
Greek God of wine, fertitily, and revelry. The Greeks hosted ceremonies to honor him like the one held in the Spring in the city called Dionysia.
Term
Thespis
Definition
the first to step out of the chorus - hence the term "thespian."
Term
Choragus
Definition
modern day equivalent of a director; appointed by an organization of dramatic presentations undertaken by the government.
Term
Aeschylus
Definition
considered first important Greek (and thus western) dramatist. Added a second actor (rather than existing precedent of single actor, large chorus) which enabled dramatic exchanges between characters. Also reduced the size of the chorus from 50 to 12, making it more managable. Wrote Orestia.
Term
Sophocles
Definition
added third actor which allowed for great flexibility as each actor could play many characters and raised the chorus to 15 members. Because of this flexibility he became skilled at dramatic structure (build swiftly to climax).
Term
Tragic Structure
Definition
alternation between chorus and character acting scenes. Allows chorus to comment on action happening during character scenes to present play's themes.
Term
Chorus
Definition
represent ordinary citizens and gave important background info in between scenes. Also represent a balance between extremes of characters and offered philosophical observations/drew conclusions.
Term
Greek "Old" Comedy
Definition
makes fun of social, political, or cultural conditions thru recognizable characters (modern day: Daily Show, SNL). Only surviving "Old Comedy" plays are Aristophanes'.
Term
Agon: Greek "Old" Comedy
Definition
type of scene not found in tragedy; a debate between two sides of a political/social issue.
Term
Parabasis: Greek "Old" Comedy
Definition
second type of scene not found in tragedy; when the chorus addresses the audience.
Term
Ampitheaters
Definition
Greek drama staged in ampitheaters - circular playing area at base of seating area called the orchestra where the chorus performed, parodos was the side stage entrances for the actors, and the skene or stage house set behind the orchestra.
Term
The Poetics
Definition
written by Aristotle and is the first and most important piece of dramatic criticism. Six elements of drama include: plot (arrangement of dramatic incidents), character (people represented in the play), thought or theme (ideas explored), language (dialogue and poetry), music, and spectacle (scenery and other visual elements).
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