Greek Theatre Research

1. When were ancient Greek plays performed? 

In Ancient Greece, plays were performed during religious festivals and on special occasions. The plays flourished around the time period of 700 BC.

2. How many years ago was this?

These plays were performed about 2,500 years ago!

3. What different types of plays were performed?

The three main genres of Greek Theatre were tragedy, comedy and satyr plays.

4. What is a traditional Greek Theatre called?

Greek plays were mostly performed in large open air venues called Amphitheatres. The theatre consists of three major parts: the Orchestra, the Scene and the main theatre, called Koilon.

5. What shape was the theatre?

Greek theatres were created in a semi-circular shape.

6. Find a picture of a traditional Greek Theatre for your blog.

7. Why were the theatres built this way?

Greek theatres were built on a sloped hillside in a semi-circular shape to give an adequate view for all of the audience members.

8. What different scenic elements are there?

In 465 BC, the playwrights began using a backdrop or scenic wall, which stood behind the orchestra, which also served as an area where actors could change their costumes. It was known as the scene. A machina was used as a crane to give the impression of a flying actor. Trap doors were also used in the ground to lift people onto the stage.

9. Who sat on the seats at the front?

Priests and officials sat in the front rows of a Greek Theatre, as many of the plays celebrated Religious Festivals.

10. Could women take part in, or attend the plays?

Women were not allowed to participate in or attend the plays as it was said to be a festival for men only. However, women had separate festivals.

11. Name some of the Greek playwrights and their plays.

Sophocles - Antigone, Oedipus The King, Electra.

Aeschylus - The Persans, The Seven Against Thebes, Eumendis.

Euripides - Heracles Children, Hecuba, The Cyclops.

12. What did the audience throw at the actors who performed badly?

It rarely happened, but if the audience didn't think that the actors were performing very well, they would throw rotten fruit and vegetables at them. However, if they enjoyed the performance they would tend to throw money at the actors and stomp their feet (instead of clapping).

13. What did the actors wear?

The costumes were incredibly detailed and masks were used to cover the actors faces and show the characters age, sex and other features. Male actors who portrayed women wore costumes that helped to imitate a females breasts. The costumes could also show the characters social status.

14. How did the audience sat at the back of the large theatre hear anything?

Architects designed the amphitheatre to have good acoustics so that the actors could be heard from the back row. There was also a stone wall behind the stage, so that the sound echoed into the audience from where the actor was speaking.

15. Who is Dionysus? 

Dionysus was Zeus' and Semele's son and also the God of wine, fertility and the arts. He brought joy and divine ecstasy to the people of Greece, but he would also bring brutal and blinding rage. This can be seen as reflective of the dual nature of wine - It is greatly appreciated and enjoyed. However, it can make people drunk and aggressive.

16. Why is he important to Greek Theatre?

Dionysus had a festival where people would celebrate him and plays would be put on as he was the God of theatre. He inspired the themes of Greek Theatre - comedy and tragedy. Greeks used to worship Dionysus through theatre.

17. What is a Greek chorus? 

A traditional Greek chorus is a group of performers of up to 50 people. They comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action and are used to fill up spaces in a play, while characters are getting ready. Sometimes they can sing, dance or speak their lines.

18.  What purpose do the Chorus have in the performance? 

The purpose of the chorus is to give the main actors a chance to get ready. They are also used to tell a large party of the play/myth very quickly.

19. How and why were masks used?

The masks could easily show a change of character during a play, since there were not enough actors to play all the parts.

20. What were the masks made of? 
The masks were either of people or mythological characters. They emphasized facial expressions so that they could be seen throughout the whole theatre.