Introduction

Theater today is a form of entertainment that can also act as a comment on society or motivate people to change. Theater is a mirror of the people and society from which it springs. Theater in Greece was also much more than entertainment. It was a civic responsibility: writer and actor helped the people confront current political or religious problems. What does this tell you about the Greeks? And what does your entertaiment say about you?

Guiding Question

How does theater change and evolve to reflect the people who create it?

Questions

1. What is the festival of Dionysus?
2. How did Dionysus, the god of wine, also become the god of theater?
3. What does "hubris" mean?
4. What is a "Deus ex machina?"
5. What is its purpose?
6. What did the Greeks use instead of programs or playbills?**
7. Give three reasons why Greeks built their theaters on mountainsides.**
8. What did a typical Greek theater look like?
9. Describe the acoustics in Greek Theaters.
10. What are the three functions of Greek masks?
11. What were Greek costumes like?
12. How did the costumes influence the action?
13. Who was the first actor?
14. What is important about his name today?
15. Describe a typical audience at early Greek theater.
16. What is the role of the chorus in Greek plays?
17. Name three major characteristics of Aristotelian tragedy.
18. Name the three major characteristics of Greek comedy.
19. What is fate?
20. What is the oracle?
21. How does it function?
22. What is "anognorisis?"**
23. What is catharsis?
24. Name three famous playwrights of ancient Greece.
Note - ** (double asterisk) indicates to search for information on the web by yourself.

Internet Resources

A Brief Summary of Ancient Greek Theater (1)
A Brief Summary of Ancient Greek Theater (2)
Dionysus, God of Wine and Theater
Dictionary.com's Hubris
Deus Ex Machina and Its Role (#15)
Greek Theater Structure
Greek Actors, Costumes, Masks, and the Chorus
The First Actor EVER
Aristotelian Tragedy
Origin of Comedy
Greek Old Comedy
Greek New Comedy
Dictionary.com's Fate
The Fates - Lesser Greek Gods
The Almighty Oracle
Famous Ancient Greek Playwrights

Activities

1. Imagine yourself as a newspaper correspondent sent to document the opening of the theater at Epidaurus. Write a newspaper article describing the theater.
2. Choose an ordinary citizen in Ancient Greece and create a "Day in the Life" journal.
3. Imagine that you have been sent on a mission by the king to the Oracle at Delphi. Write a report about your trip.
4. It's your job to make the masks used by the actors in the ancient Greek theater. Describe the materials, designs, and process used to create them.
5. Create a children's book about the twelve original gods of Greek mythology.
6. Research three of the most famous Greek plays, and prepare posters of playbills advertising them.