Part C
Literature and Drama
Greek Plays.
The ancient Greeks performed much of their plays or any literature or dramas in big theatres known as théâtrons. They were built into the sides of hills and were open to the elements. There were three main parts of the théâtrons. The first was called the orchestra. It was in the center of the theatre, and it was usually circular, made to fit the curve of the théâtron. This was where the acting would take place. The next part was called the skene. It was located behind the orchestra and actors would change costumes or masks there. Before being converted into a stone building, it was just a tent or hut. This could also have been painted to be used as a backdrop for the actors. The last part is the audience. To accommodate the large crowds, up to fourteen thousand, the stands were very large and circled halfway around the orchestra.
Greek Plays.
The ancient Greeks performed much of their plays or any literature or dramas in big theatres known as théâtrons. They were built into the sides of hills and were open to the elements. There were three main parts of the théâtrons. The first was called the orchestra. It was in the center of the theatre, and it was usually circular, made to fit the curve of the théâtron. This was where the acting would take place. The next part was called the skene. It was located behind the orchestra and actors would change costumes or masks there. Before being converted into a stone building, it was just a tent or hut. This could also have been painted to be used as a backdrop for the actors. The last part is the audience. To accommodate the large crowds, up to fourteen thousand, the stands were very large and circled halfway around the orchestra.
A typical Greek théâtron. The scale of these theatres was very large and it could seat many people.
http://www.ancientgreece.com/media/img/theatre.jpg
The Greeks would perform either tragedies or comedies. The word tragedy literally means 'goat song.' This originated because the reward in Athenian drama competitions was a goat. Comedies were very popular and influential towards Greek culture. They made fun of philosophers, and politicians.
Actors often had to wear exaggerated masks or costumes as the audience was so far away, it would make the visual effect more pleasing. Comic masks were smiling and tragic masks were frowning.
http://www.ancientgreece.com/media/img/theatre.jpg
The Greeks would perform either tragedies or comedies. The word tragedy literally means 'goat song.' This originated because the reward in Athenian drama competitions was a goat. Comedies were very popular and influential towards Greek culture. They made fun of philosophers, and politicians.
Actors often had to wear exaggerated masks or costumes as the audience was so far away, it would make the visual effect more pleasing. Comic masks were smiling and tragic masks were frowning.
The happy sad masks originated from the fact the Greeks would use these masks to exaggerate the expressions while acting.
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQjut-svTyGcVBUGpyO4hsc4V2joaoRPB0h4l1s6ZLmYZrxdzG5Xg
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQjut-svTyGcVBUGpyO4hsc4V2joaoRPB0h4l1s6ZLmYZrxdzG5Xg
This is a depiction of a Greek comedy about Dionysus. The actors would wear fake beards and enlarged stomachs to add the humor.
http://www.ancient.eu.com/uploads/images/display-1119.jpg
Sources
http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Theatre/
http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2011/10/tragedy-goat-song/
http://www.ancient.eu.com/Greek_Comedy/
Indian Epics
The two most famous and considered greatest epics from ancient India are the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. They are very important to Indian culture and have been told for more than 1,500 years. These epics were both written around the same time, and they were written in Sanskrit. They are seen both as almost a holy writ about dharma and also a history by Hindus. It could be compared to the Greeks Iliad and Odyssey, although the Mahabharata is seven times longer than both of them combined. The author, or authors as it may be, is unknown, but the sage Vyasa is credited with at least some of the writing.
http://www.ancient.eu.com/uploads/images/display-1119.jpg
Sources
http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Theatre/
http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2011/10/tragedy-goat-song/
http://www.ancient.eu.com/Greek_Comedy/
Indian Epics
The two most famous and considered greatest epics from ancient India are the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. They are very important to Indian culture and have been told for more than 1,500 years. These epics were both written around the same time, and they were written in Sanskrit. They are seen both as almost a holy writ about dharma and also a history by Hindus. It could be compared to the Greeks Iliad and Odyssey, although the Mahabharata is seven times longer than both of them combined. The author, or authors as it may be, is unknown, but the sage Vyasa is credited with at least some of the writing.
A scene from the Mahabharata, depicting two of the armies told about.
http://media-1.web.britannica.com/eb-media/80/18880-004-C6BC5238.jpg
The Ramayana is shorter than its counterpart, but still of equal merit. It is divided into some 24,000 couplets, or verses, and seven sections while the Mahabharata has almost 100,000 couplets and eighteen sections.
http://media-1.web.britannica.com/eb-media/80/18880-004-C6BC5238.jpg
The Ramayana is shorter than its counterpart, but still of equal merit. It is divided into some 24,000 couplets, or verses, and seven sections while the Mahabharata has almost 100,000 couplets and eighteen sections.
A depiction of Ravana, the primary antagonist in the Ramayana.
http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/25/26025-004-6A2AE6DA.jpg
Sources
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/490529/Ramayana
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/357806/Mahabharata
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/140488/couplet
Josh Moak
Part C
Literature and Drama: Greek plays and Indian epics.
http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/25/26025-004-6A2AE6DA.jpg
Sources
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/490529/Ramayana
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/357806/Mahabharata
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/140488/couplet
Josh Moak
Part C
Literature and Drama: Greek plays and Indian epics.