Festival of Dionysus
an annual religious festival held in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and parties, there was an altar in the middle of the stage for sacrifice. It was a playwriting contest usually featuring tragedies
Thespis
first tragic poet, introduced the first actor
Tragedy
serious action completed- lots of emotions- ends in the downfall of the character (most end in death)- tragic hero has a fatal flaw (normally pride)
Aeschylus
introduced second actor- creator of tragedy
Sophocles
1 of the 3 greatest dramatists of Ancient Greece; introduced 3rd actor; wrote The Three Theban Plays
Masks
introduced by Thespis; all actors wore them; some had amplifying capabilities
prologue
introduction to a literary work; usually in a Greek tragedy= a dialogue between two people who tell us what has been going on and give background info
parados
first time we see chorus- song they sing (entry song)
first episode
first time characters and chorus talk
first stasimon
actors leave the stage; chorus remains and sings about what happened
exodus
chorus exits singing a song about thoughtful words or the moral of the story
parados
pathways used to enter and exit theater (used by audience and actors)
protagonist
main character/hero- enemy is the antagonist
antagonist
enemy of protagonist
chorus
supplement to the main action- sang and dance
orchestra
circular area in center where dancers could dance, sing, and interact with actors
Oedipus
King of Thebes- unknowingly kills his fahter and marries his mother in fulfillment of an oracle
theatron
where the audience sat
skene
where actors changed; like a dressing room