Overview
This lecture covers major ancient Greek playwrights, their contributions to theater, and the evolution of both tragedy and comedy during the Golden Age of Greece.
Thespis: The First Playwright
- Thespis was the first winner of the City Dionysia, an annual playwriting competition honoring Dionysus.
- He introduced the concept of a leader to the chorus, creating the first Greek actor.
- The term "thespian" (actor) derives from Thespis' name.
- Thespis introduced the use of masks to portray different characters.
The Tragic Playwrights
Aeschylus: Father of Tragedy
- Aeschylus won the City Dionysia 13 times and is called the "father of tragedy."
- He introduced the trilogy format and the second actor, enabling conflict on stage.
- Reduced the chorus size from 50 to 12, focusing more on actors.
- Loved visual spectacle, using effects like staged falls.
- Began challenging the idea of predestination, emphasizing some human responsibility.
- Wrote 90 plays, but only seven survive.
Sophocles
- Sophocles was educated, athletic, and involved in civic life; won the City Dionysia 18 times.
- Introduced the third actor, enabling more complex intrigue and audience representation.
- Sophocles was known for balanced plots, beautiful language, and excellent character portrayals.
- His work is considered the essence of Greek drama.
Euripides
- Euripides was a boxer, artist, and reclusive writer; wrote from a cave by the sea.
- Considered the first "modern" playwright, questioning traditional religious ideas and the gods.
- Advocated for women's rights in his plays, though only men performed.
- Humanized drama with realistic household details and emotional focus.
- His best-known play is "Medea," emphasizing personal emotion over divine intervention.
The Comic Playwrights
Aristophanes
- Aristophanes was the most celebrated comic playwright of ancient Greece.
- Wrote satirical works mocking Athenian life, politics, and religion.
- His comedies focused on public life and societal issues.
Menander
- Menander wrote comedies about private and domestic life, influencing modern comedy formats.
- Themes included cunning servants, nagging relatives, and young love.
- Menander's focus on everyday humor is echoed in contemporary sitcoms and stand-up comedy.
- Comedies were not highly regarded as art in ancient Greece but provided entertainment.
Key Terms & Definitions
- City Dionysia — Annual festival and playwriting contest in Athens.
- Chorus — Group of performers who sang or chanted parts of Greek plays.
- Tragedy — Serious play genre dealing with human suffering and gods.
- Comedy — Play genre focused on humor and societal critique.
- Thespian — Actor or performer, term from Thespis.
- Trilogy — Set of three related plays presented together.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the surviving plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.
- Compare comedic themes in Aristophanes and Menander with modern comedy.
- Prepare for discussion or essay on the evolution of Greek theater.