Greek theatre, originating in ancient Greece, was a form of entertainment that combined storytelling, music, and dance.
It played a significant role in the development of Western theatre and continues to influence modern theatrical practices. Greek theatre showcased a variety of genres, including tragedy and comedy, and explored themes of morality, fate, and the human condition.
Ancient Greek Theatre Facts
- Greek theatre began in the 5th century BCE.
- Plays were held at religious festivals.
- Dionysus: god of theatre & wine.
- 3 genres: tragedy, comedy, and satyr play.
- Masks are worn for character roles.
- Chorus narrated & sang in plays.
- Amphitheaters had great acoustics.
- Male actors played all roles.
- Famous playwrights: Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes.
- Thespis: first known actor.
Plays took place in open-air amphitheaters with tiered seating, allowing for excellent acoustics and clear views. They showcased tragedy, comedy, and satyr plays as a tribute to Dionysus. Actors used masks to portray different characters, while a chorus provided narration and music.
Ancient Greek amphitheaters
Early Greek theatre took place in outdoor amphitheaters, which were later replicated in modern venues. These amphitheaters had a semi-circular shape and were often built into hillsides. With tiered seating, they provided optimal sightlines and acoustics.
Actors
The theatres displayed various acting and choreography styles, with male actors often portraying female characters. The costumes, although bulky, served the purpose of enhancing visibility for audience members seated farther from the stage.
Thespis, the first actor in ancient Greek theatre, is credited with pioneering this art form, and present-day actors are occasionally referred to as Thespians.
Choreography
The choreography of ancient Greek theatre was unique, with sound effects like rain, horses galloping, and lightning, as well as the use of fire, cranes, and real-life battle scenes to bring the event to life.
Music played on the aulos and lyre, along with singing in unison, added another layer of importance to the performances.
Types of performances
The ancient Greeks invented two types of performances: comedy and tragedy. Comedy was a way to make people laugh and poke fun at life.
Tragedy had a more serious tone and used moral lessons to convey humility, pride, and sorrow. Many tragic performances were based on mythical idols, who often met their demise to highlight the moral of the story.
Famous ancient Greek playwrights
Playwrights in ancient Greece were revered and celebrated, akin to famous dancers or musicians, and were considered as gifts from the gods.
Festivals were held, similar to the Olympics, where playwrights competed against each other. The prominent playwrights of that time were Aristophanes, Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides.
Pericles and the Golden Age of Greece
Pericles, the ruler of Athens in the 4th century B.C.E., supported ancient Greek theatre. At 17 years old, he financed festivals with his own wealth and made theater accessible to all through a welfare system for poorer residents.
The Origins of Tragedy
The exact origins of tragedy are debated amongst scholars, with some suggesting a link to the lyrical performance of epic poetry and others connecting it to the rituals of Dionysos, including the wearing of masks and song rituals.
Dionysos, known as the god of theatre, may have influenced the emotional intensity of tragedy through the drinking rites and loss of control experienced by worshippers. The role of music and dance in Dionysiac ritual is reflected in the chorus and the use of rhythmic elements in spoken words.
A Greek Tragedy Play
Plays in ancient Greece were performed in open-air theatres with good acoustics and were initially free for the male population to attend. The plots of these tragedies were often based on Greek mythology, which was closely tied to Greek religion.
Violence and death were not allowed to be shown on stage, and political statements were also prohibited. Early tragedies had only one actor who would wear a mask and impersonate gods. Later, the actor would interact with a chorus of up to 15 actors who sang and danced but did not speak.
Thespis is credited with introducing this innovation. The actor would change costumes during the performance, and musical interludes would be included. Eventually, three actors were allowed on stage, but there could be as many non-speaking performers as needed.
Masks, costumes, voice, and gesture played a crucial role in conveying different characters due to the limited number of actors.
Competition & Celebrated Playwrights
The famous competition for tragedy performances took place during the spring festival of Dionysos Eleuthereus or the City Dionysia in Athens.
The archon, a high-ranking official, decided which plays would be performed and which citizens would fund their production. Each poet submitted three tragedies and one satyr play, which were judged by a panel.
The winners received a bronze tripod cauldron and actors also received prizes. Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were the most successful playwrights, known for their innovation, popularity, and thought-provoking treatment of common themes. Their plays were widely performed and studied.
Greek Comedy – Origins
Greek comedy plays have ancient origins, possibly dating back to prehistoric times. The earliest evidence of this form of entertainment can be found in pottery from the 6th century BCE, depicting actors dressed as animals and dancers in exaggerated costumes.
Crude sexual humor can also be traced back to the poems of Archilochus and Hipponax in the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. Additionally, phallic songs sung during Dionysiac festivals were cited by Aristotle as another source of comedy.
A Greek Comedy Play
Comedy plays followed a conventional structure, consisting of three parts: the parados, the agon, and the parabasis. The parados involved the Chorus entering and performing song and dance routines.
The agon was a verbal contest or debate between the principal actors, often with fantastical plot elements and improvisation. The parabasis allowed the Chorus to speak directly to the audience. The finale, known as the exodos, featured another song and dance routine by the Chorus.
All performers in comedy plays were male actors, singers, and dancers. Aristophanes and Menander were the most famous comedy playwrights, often poking fun at politicians, philosophers, and fellow artists.
Menander introduced a different version of comedy known as New Comedy, which featured more plot twists and focused on common people and their daily problems.
Legacy
Greek theatre thrived and spread across the Mediterranean, with actors’ guilds and professional troupes contributing to its popularity. The genre influenced the development of pantomime in the Roman world, creating a new art form.
Theatre became a beloved form of entertainment that has endured throughout history, with ancient Greek plays still inspiring modern audiences worldwide.
Who invented a welfare system that allowed poorer residents to attend performances?
Pericles
Where did ancient Greek theatre take place?
Greek amphitheaters
What type of choreography was used to enhance ancient Greek theatre?
Music and dancing
What were the two types of theatre the ancient Greek playwrights invented?
Comedy and Tragedy
Back to : Ancient Greece