Ancient Greek Theater and Drama
Theater has been an integral part of almost every society for thousands of years. Starting in the last Sixth century B.C. Theater has been evolving into the glitzy, whirlwind productions of today. But in the beginning, theater was a simple affair. Originating in Greece, theater tradition was derived from religious rituals. The ceremonies of the cult of Dionysus were exuberant; much story telling took place in the form of song and dance. Everyone would partake in the story telling, forming what is known as the chorus. The first man to step out of the chorus and take a role of a character was the poet Thespis. It was his idea to include a character that could partake in dialog that revolutionized theater, as it is known today. From the first time Thespis stepped into a character, the Greeks adored the idea of physically acting out their stories. Eventually, drama and theater were integrated into two festivals of Dionyssos, the Lenea festival in January and the Great Dionyssia in March. Poets could enter a series of four plays (three tragedies and a comedy) to be judged by five judges. Only three poets were allowed to enter these two contests per year. The Honorable
When Sophocles began writing plays, he added three additional choral members, making the total fifteen. Only seven of his plays still exist today. Aristophanes is the third great poet of that day. Without ancient theater, we might not have that form of entertainment, or even the television. The third part of the theater was the Koilon, or section where the audience sat. The Aeoreme was a crane which lifted actors into the air, enabling them to play gods, visions or prophesies. Thus, the actors wore elaborate robes and intricate, lifelike masks. The scenery usually consisted of a palace or temple, and a door was cut into the scene so that characters could enter from the palace or temple. In the original plays, up until Sophocles the poet started to write plays, there were always twelve member of the chorus. He was born in Colonus, Athens in 497 B. The theaters were always open-air theaters and consisted of three parts: the Orchestra, the Scene and the Koilon. His first entry, entered under the pen name Detalis, received first prize. They marched onstage together in a square formation.
Common topics in this essay:
Scene Koilon,
Costumes Greek,
Colonus Athens,
BC Greeks,
Honorable Archon,
Originating Greece,
Persians Aeschylos,
Gela Sicely,
Aristophanes Aeschylos,
March Poets,
days theater,
theater koilon,
leader chorus,
audience sat,
ancient grecian,
center orchestra,
palace temple,
chorus marched,
beginning theater,
pillars scenery,
|
Acceptance Essays
