greek theater terms

orchestra

the cirrcular, level space where the chorus would sing, dance, and interact with the actors who were on stage.

theatron

where the spectators sat. Normally on a hillside, and wrapped around the orchestra

skene

the "tent" behind the stage. Decorated as a palace, temple, or other building. Actors made entrances and exits through the doors.

parados

paths which the chorus (and some actors) made their entrances and exits. audienced also used them to enter and exit.

prologue

Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appears. Gives background necessary for understanding the play

Parados

the song sung by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances

First Episode

the first of many episodes. When the characters and chorus talk

First Stasimon

at the end of each episode when the characters leave the stage and the chorus dances and sings a stasimon (or choral ode) It reflects on things said in the episode

exodos

when the chorus exits at the end of the play. They sing a processional song which offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play

golden age of athenian drama

600-200 BC

tragedy

comes from greek word "traegos" which means goat song

Dionysus

God of fertility and wine

Festival of Dionysus

Festival that paid tribute to the god Dionysus. Took play in athens, and people would perform plays. Best play won

Trilogy

Three tragedies centered around one theme

Satyr play

a play that parodies the same tragic figures in the tragedy. Provides comic relief

Chorus

they sang, chanted an entrance song, engage in dialogue with the characters through the leader, sing and dance choral songs, commented on characters/events of the play

Masks

Characters wore them. Their purposes were to show age, gender, and social class

Unity of time

Time on stage represents time off stage

Unity of Place

The plays all in one location

Unity of Action

Scenes must contribute directly to the plot

Alter of Dionysus

Fixture on the back of the stage that pays tribute to dionysus

catharis

the purging of emotion at the end of the play which inspires people to live a better life

harmatia

ignorance or poor judgement; not always a personal choice but a result of fate/destiny.

hubris

pride and overwhelming self-confidence which leads to disregarding warming or violating a moral code

blank verse

unrhymed verse. In iambic pentameter

prose

ordinary writing that's not poetry, drama, or song

plot

sequence of events in a literary work

monologue

one person speaking on a stage

soliloquy

a long speech representing the thoughts of characters on stage

aside

words spoken in an undertone not intended to be heard by all characters

pun

humorous use of a word with two meanings

direct adress

words that tell the reader who is being addressed

dramatic irony

when the audience knows something that the characters do not

verbal irony

words used to suggest the opposite of what is meant

situational irony

and event that occurs which directly contradicts the expectaions of the characters, reader, and audience

comic relief

use of comedy within literature that provides "relief" from seriousness or sadness

inciting moment

the first bit of action that occurs which begins the plot

conflict

the struggle that develops: man vs. man, man vs. himself, man vs. society, man vs. nature

crisis

the point where the protagonist's situation will either get better or worse

exposition

the beginning of the play that intruduces the settin, characters, and basic situation