Greek Theater/ Oedipus the King & Antigone

Class Starter:  Watch video about Greek theater. Answer questions on viewing guide I shared with you on google classroom.

• The theater
• The 3 kinds of plays
• The playwrights
• The masks

Today’s Agenda

Assignments are on google classroom.

 

Some basics about Greek drama:

1. 1. The Theater: Greek drama usually accompanied religious festivals and was part of the fanfare.
   2. The stage was built into a hillside and plays were performed during the day before thousands of onlookers.
   3. A large orchestra, located in a pit between the stage and the audience, provided music before, during, and after the performance.
   4. Actors: All roles were played by men wearing large masks, extravagant robes, and platform shoes.
   5. Sophocles, the most popular of Greek dramatists, used three actors who changed costumes between scenes.
   6. Chorus – The chorus commented on the play’s action and consisted of around 15 men.
   7. The choragus, the chorus leader, conversed with the actors. The chorus danced and entertained between scenes.
   8. The Tragic Hero: A tragedy recounts the downfall of a dignified character, usually of noble birth. The tragic hero possesses a tragic flaw which leads to a catastrophe.