Evolution of Theatre from the Greeks to the Contemporary Era
EVOLUTION OF THEATRE FROM THE GREEKS TO THE CONTEMPORARY ERAS
Greek Theatre
If theatre is to be defined as involving the art of acting a part on stage, it begins with Thespis. He won the play competition in honor of the Greek god Dionysus, in 534 B.C. And it is his name with which the dramatic arts are associated in the word "Thespian". Greek theatre took place in large (the largest ultimately held twenty thousand people) hillside amphitheatres. The players included a chorus and their leader, and the "lines" were more chanted than spoken. The chorus performed in the "orchestra", not on a raised stage. The use of masks to represent characters and high-soled boots worn to add height to the players limited the movement of the actors. Indeed, the concept of "actors" themselves was not originally a part of Greek theatre, but was developed as a consequence of certain playwrights of particular genius.
Greek drama was dominated by the works and innovations of five playwrights over the 200 years following Thespis. The first three of these were tragedians. Aeschylus (525-456 B.C.) is most famous for his tragic trilogy the Oresteia. Sophocles is most famous for his trilogy Oedipus Rex. Euripides (480-406 B.C.) foreshadowed the ultimate form of drama as we know it -- employing a far more naturalistic or human approach in his works.
The last two Greek playwrights were the authors of comedies: Aristophanes (448-380 B.C.) and Menander (342-292 B.C.). There was a separate competition for comedy which, while also dedicated to Dionysus, took place at the smaller winter festival, rather than the major spring festival at which the tragedies were presented. Tragedy was at its height in Greek society when that society was at its height, while comedy -- an outlet for the frustrations of society as well as a diversion for the masses -- was most popular during the decline of Greek government.
Roman Theatre
The decline of Greek government and society coincided with the rise of
Greek Theatre
If theatre is to be defined as involving the art of acting a part on stage, it begins with Thespis. He won the play competition in honor of the Greek god Dionysus, in 534 B.C. And it is his name with which the dramatic arts are associated in the word "Thespian". Greek theatre took place in large (the largest ultimately held twenty thousand people) hillside amphitheatres. The players included a chorus and their leader, and the "lines" were more chanted than spoken. The chorus performed in the "orchestra", not on a raised stage. The use of masks to represent characters and high-soled boots worn to add height to the players limited the movement of the actors. Indeed, the concept of "actors" themselves was not originally a part of Greek theatre, but was developed as a consequence of certain playwrights of particular genius.
Greek drama was dominated by the works and innovations of five playwrights over the 200 years following Thespis. The first three of these were tragedians. Aeschylus (525-456 B.C.) is most famous for his tragic trilogy the Oresteia. Sophocles is most famous for his trilogy Oedipus Rex. Euripides (480-406 B.C.) foreshadowed the ultimate form of drama as we know it -- employing a far more naturalistic or human approach in his works.
The last two Greek playwrights were the authors of comedies: Aristophanes (448-380 B.C.) and Menander (342-292 B.C.). There was a separate competition for comedy which, while also dedicated to Dionysus, took place at the smaller winter festival, rather than the major spring festival at which the tragedies were presented. Tragedy was at its height in Greek society when that society was at its height, while comedy -- an outlet for the frustrations of society as well as a diversion for the masses -- was most popular during the decline of Greek government.
Roman Theatre
The decline of Greek government and society coincided with the rise of