Western Civilization: Ancient Greek Theater

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This analytical essay traces the different aspects of the Greek drama contextualizes it and then approaches the dramatic art form of ancient Greece as the beckoning light for the later generation theatrical performances. The question has been approached from not only a technical aspect but the social and religious aspect has also been dealt with.

“Theater has been used as an extension of religious festivals…” (History Channel, 2008). “ The Greek drama began as a religious observance in honour of Dionysus” (Mills, 2003). However, the modern theater has become more commercialized and has become a potential arena of political, social, and cultural discourses, increasingly involving the masses (more of an epitome of the public sphere). “Theatre, which had been dominated by the Church for centuries, and then by the tastes of monarchs for more than 200 years, became accessible to merchants, industrialists, the bourgeoise and then the masses.” (IPAG). Thus, modern plays like those of Brecht deal more with realism and are mimetic, rather than being wholly supernatural and mystical.

The Greek dramas performed during the period were of two types- Tragedy and Comedy. The tragedy was “a narrative, ballad-like genre” (Wikipedia contributors, 2008) where the hero often met evil forces which overpowered him and lead to his ultimate destruction. The most potent example of this is the tragic character of Oedipus, immortalized in the Western literary and theatrical genre. Comedy was on the contrary comprised of burlesque and satirical themes, often taking the form of social farces.

A scenic wall or background began to be made use of in Greek drama from 465 B.C. It “stood behind the orchestra, which also served as an area where actors could change their costumes” (Wikipedia contributors, 2008). “The skene was directly in back of the stage, and was usually decorated as a palace, temple, or other building, depending on the needs of the play. It had at least one set of doors, and actors could make entrances and exits through them.” (Walter Englert, 2008) It served the purpose of a modern-day stage background and greenroom.

Theatrical space of Ancient Greece was not simply an arena of entertainment, a social indicator as well. “The theatres were originally built on a very large scale to accommodate…large number of people in the audience” (Wikipedia contributors, 2008). Earlier the viewing arrangement comprised largely and completely of wooden seats, for all. Later however a more permanent arrangement was made when stone seats were added to the theater; they were called progeria meant exclusively for the priests and the respectable citizens (Wikipedia contributors, 2008). For the common masses, the previous arrangement was continued indicating the use of the theatrical space for demonstrating existing social codes.

Performance was a grand affair as it normally continued for more than a day and had to be exhibited in places that lacked modern micro-phonic amenities. So the theater was built with such impeccable mathematical calculations that the voice of the actor reached across to all in the theater. It is indicative of the technical and mathematical advancements made during the age. “Some theatres also had a raised speaking place on the orchestra called the logeion” (Wikipedia contributors, 2008). Masks were used during the performance to make the essence of the drama tragedy or comedy come alive. Roles of female characters were played by men who wore “prosterneda” (a wooden structure in front of the chest, to imitate female breasts) and “progastreda” in front of the belly.” (Wikipedia contributors, 2008). This demonstrates the women did not have much independence in ancient Greece.

Murder and other violent acts which were integral scenes of a tragedy were normally performed behind the scene or the scene. They were considered unfit for public demonstration hence were performed behind the scene which was used as a scenic background and normally wheeled wagons were used to bring such dead characters in the view of the audience. This hiding of violent and murderous acts behind the scene, or scenes later gave social meaning to the word obscene (vulgar; not fit for the eyes to behold).

Therefore, we can conclude that Greek dramas provide us an insight into their existing social order, cultural codes, and their educational and technical standards which reflected the nature of Greek democracy and also mirrored the later Roman antibody that entered into it and changed its character.

Bibliography

Free Online Dictionary. (n.d.). Tragedy. 2008. Web.

History Channel. (2008). DRAMA AND DRAMATIC ARTS. Web.

IPAG. (n.d.). MODERN THEATER: 18th – 20th centuries. Web.

Kitto, H. (2002). Greek Tragedy. New York: Routledge.

Mills, D. (2003). Drama: The Greek Theatre and Three Athenian Tragedians: Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. 2008. Web.

Walter Englert. (2008). Ancient Greek Theater. Web.

Wikipedia contributors. (2008). Theater of Ancient Greece. The Free Encyclopedia. Web.

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Western Civilization: Ancient Greek Theater

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