Origins of Theatre
Patron god of the theatre, wine-making, religious ecstasy, and festivity.
Who is Dionysus?
The first genre of Greek drama, known for its mythological topics and psychological insights.
What is Tragedy?
A greek theatre
What is a Theatron?
Worn by actors to neutralise their expressions.
What are Masks?
When the basic premise and characters are introduced.
What is the Prologos
Yearly festivals to celebrate Dionysus, associated with drama competitions.
What are the City Dionysia and Lenaea?
Aristophanes' plays are the only surviving examples of this genre, which is characterised by political satire.
What is (Old Attic) Comedy?
Timber building at the back of the theatre, used for changing of masks and costumes, provided backdrop for productions.
What is the Skene?
Worn to change the body shape of male actors.
What is padding?
Entrance of the chorus.
What is the Parados?
Poems/songs sung in praise of Dionysus.
What is a Dithyramb?
Only one example remains of this bawdy genre.
What are Satyr plays?
Dancing circle, located in front of the stage, where the chorus would sing and dance.
What is the Orchestra?
This person paid for the masks and costuming, as well as props, musicians, and wages.
Who is the choregos?
Exit of the chorus and actors, full of revelry and festivities.
What is the Exodos
The first person to step out of the chorus and act out scenes (the first 'actor')
Who is Thespis?
The three tragic poets with extant works.
Who are Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus
Raised stage at the front of the building.
What is the Proskenion?
Soft-soled shoes worn by comic actors.
What are soccus?
Ritualised contest or debate.
What is the Agon?
Athenian tyrant who popularised Greek theatre as we know it.
Who is Peisistratus?
Aristotle argued that tragedy cleansed the spirit through pity and terror, an emotional purging of the soul.
What is catharsis?
Passage/entrance between the stage and seating of the theatre.
What is a parodos?
Worn to change the shape of actors playing female roles (to mimic breasts and softer stomachs)
What are prosternada and progastreda?
Section of the Parabasis, in which the chorus leader addresses public affairs, usually followed an ode sung by one half of the chorus.
What is an epirrhema?