Ancient Greek Drama: Tragedy, Comedy, and Key Playwrights
Ancient Greek Drama
Drama is a significant phenomenon of Greek culture. When discussing Greek tragedy, we refer to the extant works: 7 by Aeschylus, 7 by Sophocles, and 18 by Euripides. These plays span almost 80 years. The poet encourages reflection by viewers who identify with the characters. The performances took place during the Rural Dionysia and the Great Dionysia.
Setting the Scene
- Actors: Poets themselves sometimes acted, and female characters were represented by men. The number of actors changed from 1 to 3.
- Chorus: A staple of tragedy, the chorus becomes less important, consisting of 12 to 15 members. It was led by the Coryphaeus.
- Audience: Everyone had access to the theater; the price of admission was two mites. The theaters were located outdoors, on the slopes of mountains. The stands surrounded the circular orchestra where the chorus performed, around the altar of Dionysus, in front of the stage.
Tragedy
Tragedy means “song of the goat;” the tragoi were followers of Dionysus wearing goat masks.
Structure of Tragedy
- Prologue: Precedes the arrival of the chorus and presents the facts that precede the start of the drama.
- Parodos: The entry hymn of the chorus.
- Stasimon: A choral ode sung by the chorus while in the orchestra.
- Episode: A dialogue section in which the actors appear.
- Exodus: The last part, ending with the departure of the chorus. This part may include a messenger and the appearance of a deus ex machina.
Language, Metrics, and Style
Tragedy employs artistic language, known for the majesty of Aeschylus, with a style full of metaphors, similes, and epithets. Metrically, each part of the tragedy uses different verse forms.
Key Playwrights
Aeschylus
Of 90 tragedies, only 7 remain: The Persians, Seven Against Thebes, The Suppliants, etc. Key concepts in his work are guilt, insanity, pride, and injustice. His characters tend to be unusual beings.
Innovations
- Introduced the second actor.
- The chorus occupies more than half of the work.
- Frequent appearances of messengers.
- Metaphorical language.
- Simple staging with costumes and exotic music.
- Linked trilogies.
Sophocles
His works retain 7 plays: Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, Electra, Ajax, etc. His tragedies focus on the lone hero, with man at the center of everything.
Innovations
- Increased the number of actors to three.
- Increased the number of the chorus to 12-15.
- The chorus becomes an actor.
- Waiver of linked trilogies.
Euripides
18 plays remain, including 17 tragedies: Phaedra, Hecuba, Medea, etc., and a satirical drama, The Cyclops. His theater reflects the ideas and issues of the time.
Innovations
- The role of the chorus becomes less important.
- The prologue serves to guide the viewer through the changes that have occurred in the myth.
- Introduction of the deus ex machina.
Comedy
Comedy is a drama that uses actions related to real life.
Structure of Comedy
Comedies are structured in two parts, separated by a digression of the chorus. The first part includes a prologue that introduces the subject of the comedy to the public. The second part consists of a series of scenes in a mocking tone, ending with a festive procession, a celebration, and a scene of sacrifice.
Aristophanes
The only representative of ancient comedy with 11 full works remaining. His work is a microcosm, reflecting all of Athenian society with its traditions and customs. He stresses the importance of women in his work. Main topics include politics, Socrates, and Euripides.