Greek and Roman Theatre Terms

Greek term for an actor

Greek- writings of Aristotle about Theatre, most likely lecture notes

Roman term for actors

Roman- state sponsored festival honoring the gods. First introduction of theatre to Roman society.

Roman- leading lyric poet during the time of Augusta

Greek- 1st person to step out of the chorus.. He created the first ‘actor’ separate from the group.

Greek- cleansing of emotions. major characteristic of tradegy

Roman- leader of the acting troupe

Greek- tragic flaw or error in judgment leading to demise

“The Art of Poetry” a type of poetry practiced by Horace and Aristotle

Greek- 3 tragedies and 1 satyr by the same author, written for a festival

Greek- “god from a machine”.

Basically a crane used to lower characters (usually gods) into and out of a scene over the back wall.

Roman- front curtain, sunk into the floor when not in use, raised on telescoping poles

Greek-“excessive pride” a common fatal flaw

Greek god of wine and fertility, City of Dionysus (where theatre was created) was to honor him

Roman- raised stage

Greek-Playing space

Greek- seating for 14,000-17,000

Greek- back structure, playhouse

Tragic Character-must fit traditional views, nothing extreme or fantastical
No on stage violence
Chorus moves plot forward or gives GOOD advice
No mixing of tragedy and comedy
Gods should only be used as a last resort

orchestra, pulpitum, scaena, cavea, auleum, siparium

Roman-Seating reserved for privileged guests

Roman-Scenic structure at rear of space

Roman-Seating area for the masses

Greek Playwright
Used chorus sparingly
deviated from conventions
Gave women strong roles
“Medea”, “Helen” , “The Bacchae”

Chorus with masks and actors involving physical attacks Lines 202-205 Lysistrata;balance between opposites

Recognition of kinship When Oedipus realizes his dad is Laius and his wife is his mother

The art of poetry written by Horace 19 BCE; Advises poets on the art of writing poetry and drama Huge influence in later ages on Eurpoean literature and French Drama

Roman- Front curtain, sunk into the floor when not in use, raised on telescoping poles

Ancient Greek instrument usually double pipe that required circulatory breathing.

Held to actors mouth via straps

Roman- Seating area for the masses

Choreographer

Greek – Wealthy citizens who funded performances in greek theatre

Greek dramatic festival that took place in Athens

Greek- Leader of the greek chorus, carry on dialogue with actors

Ten Books on Architecture dedicated to Caesar Augustus by Vitruvius, about classical Roman architecture

Roman: Leader of the acting group, producer of the play/ controlled actors who were often slaves

Greek- Wagon used to bring the aftermath of offstage violence into playin scene Ex.Clytemnestra after she kills Cassandra and Agammemnon

Acted scenes with dialogue

A short rustic farce common southern Italy

A comedy play in greek dress; based/adaption of greek originals

Greek- tragic flaw or error in judgement leading to demise

Greek term for an actor

Literally means down turn; Cleansing of emotions

Lamentation performed by actors and chorus, On stage actors ripped costumes off, beat themselves, cut their hair short

Greek- Greek stage; raised platform or stage infront of skene

2 Comedies/2 Tragedies

Greek Theatre/ A crane or platform that suspended from above used for the stage to descend an actor playing a God

Performed sketches of everyday life; Females allowed in the mime

Dance Drama with solos ; could be male or female

Song & Dance just for Chorus people without their mask, used in Comedy scenes sometimes to mock people in the crowd

First choral song of the play

Means reversal; 2 types of Peripeteia: Reversal of Intention when a person goes in with one intention but causes what they were trying to avoid to happen. Reversal of Catastrophe is sudden and catastrophic reversed fortune.

Greek- First actor to engage in dialogue with chorus , usually main character or character with most

Roman- Raised stage (Roman version of Logeion)

Greek drama that combined Comedy tragedy with satyrs. Based on mythical tales. Usually listed as the fourth play in competitions in the City Dionysia

Roman theatre- Scene building front façade of stage house with 3-5 doors

Greek-building behind orchaestra for storage or where actors met

Dialogue with short lines exchanged between different characters like the women in Lysistrata and the old men

Greek- Writings of Aristotle about Theatre

Greek- Seating for 14,000-17,000

First person to step out of the chrous, created the first ‘actor’ separate from the group

Roman Theatre- Tunnels that allowed the audience to enter and exit large theatres easily. Leading to or from cavea

Long garment that served as a theatrical dress

Innovated 2nd actor, greatest writer of satyr plays

Innovated 3rd actor, increased the chorus from 12 > 15, developed stage scenery, abandoned connected tetralogy

Innovated Prologue for one character (often a god), intro. Elaborate music., interest in madness and women psychology

Used caricatures, political theatre, parodies famous tragedies, Anti-war involved in Peloponnesian war.

Innovated the clever slave ex. Pseudolus, usually in new comedy slave is no more than the comedic relief . Found humor in slaves tricking their masters or comparing themselves to heroes.

1) Paradoi, entrance paths 2)Skene 3) Ekkyklema 4)Machine 5)Orchestra

Frons Scaenae, regia, hospitalia, Pulpitum, Orchestra, Aulaeum (front curtain), Vomitoria exits, colonnade