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