Greek Theatre

Satyrs & Comedy

100

Short plays performed between the acts of tragedies to provide comedic relief. Performed by men dressed as mythical creatures of the same name.

What are Satyr plays?

200

In a Satyr play actors wore large___________for comic effect.

What are phalluses?

300

Explain Aristophanes' historical significance.

Who is the master playwright known for his comedies?

400

A mythical half-human, half-goat figures 

What is a Satyr?

500

Spell the name of the master playwright of Comedy. 

ARISTOPHANES

Greek Theatrical Devices & Politics

100

The years when Greek Theatre flourished. 

What are 550 BC to 220 BC? 

200

The city where Greek Theatre primarily flourished.

What is Athens? 

300

Often wearing masks, this functioned as one
actor rather than a large group of many performers.

What is a Chorus? 

400

The typical number of actors in a Greek Chorus

What is 12-50 people?

500

List 3 key functions of the greek theatre.

• Commentary:
  • The primary role was to offer commentary on the actions and motivations of the main characters,
    providing analysis and interpretation for the audience. 
• Moral reflection:
  • By expressing the collective wisdom and values of the community, the chorus could guide the audience
    towards understanding the ethical implications of the play's events. 
• Emotional engagement:
  • Through song and dance, the chorus could heighten the emotional impact of scenes, expressing the fears,
    hopes, and anxieties of the characters and the audience. 
• Exposition:
  • In some cases, the chorus would provide necessary background information or explain events that
    happened offstage. 
• Dramatic structure:
  • The chorus could also serve to transition between scenes or provide a sense of pause for reflection.

Aristotle

100

Genre of play that Aristotle discusses in "Poetics".

What is Tragedy?

200

The book that was written by Aristotle in which the theory of Tragedies was discussed.

What are the "Poetics"?

300

Ancient Greek god of wine, pleasure, & theatre.

Who is Dionysis?

400

Ancient Greek choral songs sung in celebration of Dyonisis.

What are Dithyrambs? 

500

Word that is derived from the greek term "goat song".

What is tragedy?

Greek Theatre Genres & History

100

The three main genres of ancient Greek theatre.

What are Comedies, Tragedies, & Satyrs?

200

List the master playrights of tragedy.

 Who are Aeschylus, Sophocles, & Euripides?

300

500 BC ___________ steps out (from the chorus) as the 1st SOLO actor.

Who is Thespis? 

400

471 BC: __________introduced a second actor, enabling onstage dialogue

Who is Aeschylus? 

500

468 BC: __________introduced a third actor, allowing more complex situations

Who is Sophocles? 

Greek Theatre Structure

100

Rectangular building
behind orchestra for actors to change in. 

What is a Skene?

200

This word comes from the Greek words "thea" , which means eyes, and "tron", which means "place".

What is a Theatron?

300

Large circular or rectangular area for performances in Greek theatres.

What is the Orchestra? 

400

The Dionysus theatre is best known for this

What is being the birthplace of Greek Theatre? 

500

This the best preserved of the ancient Greek theaters.

What is the Epidauros?