(See related pages)
Chapter Ten discusses the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome and the profound impact the theater practices of those cultures have had in laying the foundations for today's western theater. After reading this chapter you should:
|
|
|
| 1. Be aware that no one knows how theater began, but be aware that there is evidence in every culture and historical period that humans have used theatrical elements to communicate. Among these elements are:
|
|
|
|
| 2. Understand that ancient Greece was the first place in western culture where religious ceremonies and storytelling were transformed into theater. The dithyrambic chorus of men singing and dancing in ceremonies honoring Dionysus is thought to be the origin of Greek drama. |
|
|
|
| 3. Understand the importance of Thespis in transforming the dithyramb into drama. |
|
|
|
| 4. Understand the significance of the City Dionysia and its relationship with religion and myth to the culture of ancient Greece. |
|
|
|
| 5. Be familiar with the description of the City Dionysia festival that took place in ancient Athens. |
|
|
|
| 6. Be aware of the three major playwrights, Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides and each of their contributions to the dramatic form of tragedy. |
|
|
|
| 7. Understand classical Greek tragic plot structure, specifically as it is illustrated by King Oedipus. |
|
|
|
| 8. Be familiar with the ideas and practices of Greek comedy, in particular, Old Comedy written by Aristophanes. |
|
|
|
| 9. Understand theater production in Greece. In particular, note the ground plan of a typical Greek theater. |
|
|
|
| 10. Be familiar with Aristotelian dramatic criticism; note the first significant work of dramatic criticism - The Poetics. |
|
|
|
| 11. Understand that as the Rome emerged victorious from the Punic Wars, the Roman civilization borrowed many of the classical Greek theatrical practices. Be aware, however, that the Romans modified the dramatic form. |
|
|
|
| 12. Be familiar with Terence and Plautus, comic playwrights of Rome; note the difference between Old Comedy and New Comedy. |
|
|
|
| 13. Note the dramatic criticism of Horace, and how it differs from Aristotle. |
|
|
|
| 14. Be familiar with the description of a Roman spring festival in honor of Jupiter and the description of The Menaechmi. |
|
|
|
| 15. Be familiar with the similarities and differences in Greek and Roman productions. |