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Greek and modern theatre
Greek and modern theatre
Greek theatre and modern drama
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In the 6th century BC, Greek comedy was one of the most popular and influential form of theatre that was performed in ancient Greece. The most famous playwrights of the genre were Aristophanes and Menander. Their works included their contemporaries, poking fun at politicians, philosophers, and fellow artists. In addition to maintaining their comic touch, the plays gave an indirect and invaluable insight into the Greek society. This was by providing details on the workings of the political institutions, legal systems, religious practices, education and warfare in the Hellenic world. These plays also revealed something about the audience's identity and showed what the Greeks' sense of humour was
Aside from all the prodigious number of Greek tragedies in history, stands a collection of Greek comedies which serve as humorous relief from the powerful overtone of the tragedy. These comedies were meant to ease the severity and seriousness sometimes associated with the Greek society. The ideas portrayed in the comedies, compared to the tragedies, were ridiculously far-fetched; however, although abnormal, these views are certainly worthy of attention. Throughout his comedy, The Clouds, Aristophanes, along with his frequent use of toilet humor, ridicules aspects of Greek culture when he destroys tradition by denouncing the importance of the gods' influence on the actions of mortals, and he unknowingly parallels Greek society with today's. Aristophanes also defiantly misrepresents an icon like Socrates as comical, atheistic, and consumed by ideas of self interest, which is contradictory to the Socrates seen in Plato's Apology or Phaedo.
This production embraced more than just Greek and Elizabethan conventions, also incorporating elements of French Neoclassical comedy. It also demonstrated the survival of many elements of comedy, farce, and satire such as character types, repetition, derision, verbal wit, and slapstick. The production did not adhere to only one theatrical age, but it combined conventions from Greek, Elizabethan, and French Neoclassical
Aristophanes and Agathon were peers in Ancient Greece. Aristophanes was the master of comedy, and Agathon was the master of tragedy. They traveled in the same circles and are present in the same works. In looking through the comic lens at Agathon in Aristophanes’ Women at the Thesmophoria, the reader is presented with a portrayal of an effeminate man with a flair for the dramatic and a queenly attitude. Aristophanes’ Agathon is a comic character to be laughed at, a man that is more female than male. In looking at this view of Agathon, Greek views of homoeroticism are brought up and Agathon’s reputation and character in the world of Ancient Greece is brought into question. How much of this portrayal is actual, and how much is Aristophanes use of comedy? More importantly, what is exposed in viewing Agathon in this light? In order to answer these questions, an alternate, non-comic view of Agathon must be looked at, which Plato’s Symposium offers. By comparing Agathon’s portrayal in both works, views on Agathon and on Greek homoeroticism can be inferred. Aristophanes’ portrait of Agathon is not true to Agathon’s actual self, but rather uses cultural stereotypes and bigotry to gain laughs. Looking at Aristophanes’ portrayal of Agathon in both Symposium and Women at the Thesmophoria and in looking at the general treatment given to Agathon in Symposium, a basis for this interpretation is created, allowing the modern reader a clearer look at Greek life. Three lenses are presented- Aristophones’ comic lens in his famous comedy, Aristophanes’ personal lens through his speech in Symposium, and Plato’s non-comic lens in Symposium, providing a wide range of views to be explored.
On the surface, comedy and tragedy seem to be complete polar opposites of each other. In terms of the actual narrative, examining the consequences of the character's actions reveals the biggest contrast. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus' 'sin' of not listening to the Gods and trying to avoid his fate assisted in his downfall. Not only does his internal blindness result in him marrying his mother; it also results in a "plague" across his land. In addition, the blindness towards his own fate causes Oedipus to display a decidedly unkingly side when he accuses Kreon of being the source of the woes of the state. The consequences of Oedipus' actions result in his exile from the state and an unhappy ending to the play. In contrast, a key facet to the comedy genre is a lack of consequences. Oberon, for example, never faces any type of punishment when he deceives Titania. In fact, he is rewarded with being back in Titania's good graces and the young boy!
If we are to believe Suetonius’s biography of Publius Terence, then the latter was born in 184 B.C., the exact year of the death of his predecessor, Plautus. The two wrote for a Rome in the midst of a centuries-long period of hellanisation. (Barsby.) One of the many ways in which the pervasiveness of Greek culture is evident is the popularity, at the time, of adaptations of Greek New Comedy. One of the plays that I will be discussing in this essay, Terence’s The Eunuch, is in fact a direct adaptation of one such work of Menander’s. (Barsby). The other, Platus’s Pseudolus, is described by Norton Anthology as “drawing both on the improvisatory structure of Atelan farce and on Greek New Comedy.” The most obvious example of the “other” on stage
Aristophanes and Menander had different preoccupations. Menander's comedy has been described as "a serious attempt at light drama". His is a Comedy of Manners, with a great deal of emphasis on morals and also on piety. `Old Cantankerous' is universally accessible, and Menander did not only write for the Athenian audience. Aristophanes, however got caught up in whichever problem Athens was experiencing at the time. This meant that it must have been biting wit , but for anyone who was not an Athenian at that time would need some background knowledge to understand many of the jokes and references.
Aristophanes’ comedies have endured as classic Greek Theater for many reasons. He originated comedy lampooning a specific political official, a form that has survived over a thousand years until today. He shaped the manner in which the history of his time is recorded. His opinions influence how history measures the leaders and thinkers of ancient Greece. Most of all, however, Aristophanes’ plays hold special relevance to twentieth century audiences, especially Western audiences. Although we love our democracy as the Greeks did, political intrigue has soured idealism for many. Many more can appreciate a playwright that can deal with these ironies while still reminding us how lucky we are to have that right, and how that is a test of how our governments function.
Characters in comedy and tragedy are generally quite different. Comic characters are (or used to be) lower class individuals (Aristotle, Goldsmith). Indeed this is the case with t...
Many diverse cultures are found in every corner of the world. Every culture is defined by its traditions and values. The film “The Odyssey,” depicts the culture of the ancient Greeks where it illustrates the life of a man, Odysseus, who has gone on a journey just to get back to his kingdom. Many values and traditions could be identified through the path of the journey. Some elements that are found important to the Greeks are the music, the religion, and the duty to the kingdom.
According to Aristotle (who speculates on the matter in his Poetics), ancient comedy originated with the komos, a curious and improbable spectacle in which a company of festive males apparently sang, danced, and cavorted rollickingly around the image of a large phallus. (If this theory is true, by the way, it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "stand-up routine.")
Satire is a literary manner built on wit and humor with a critical attitude directed to human institutions and humanity. A successful satiric play will show certain truths about society and then try to improve upon them. Satire is meant to be constructive rather than destructive. Aristophanes uses satire in Lysistrata to convey many different themes such as war and peace, the struggles of power and class, and the life and death issues that are seen in war. Satire is successfully used and seen in Lysistrata by stereotyping women in general and then the different classes of women as well. Double entendres are seen throughout the play to help add humor to the play. Sex is used as humorous tool but only to covey a deeper theme that consists of war and peace and also of life and death.
Comedy unites – It helps society relate to one another and adds to the interwoven-ness that invisibly threads us all together as a society. Comedies help underscore the sadness’ of life and enables playwrights to address problem in society and propose a solution. This problem solution construction is reoccurring in comedies. Comedies have endured the test of time as they continue to educate, influence, entertain and motivate humanity. Comedic works have been characterized as ending in all being right in the world. This notion is supported by the plays, Lysistrata by Aristophanes and The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People by Oscar Wilde through their unique plot style, usage of literary and plot devices.
Sophists and their teachings became widespread in the latter fifth century B.C. in Athens, Greece, which was a major cultural hub in the ancient world. At this point, Greece had dominated the trade industry around the Mediterranean Sea, so Greece had great power among the critical urban cities. After the Athenians defeated the Persians, they began to esteem themselves as an elevated people. The population began to focus on broadening their intelligence and understanding of the world. The theatre reached a pinnacle as playwrights such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides began to write classics for example Agamemnon, Oedipus Rex, and Antigone. Satire plays which criticized the government became much more common. Great philosophers like ...
Aristotle is one of the most important western philosophers in history that has influenced our society in many aspects. Many of Aristotle’s teachings have affected our world for many years and still continue to have such a big impact. Some of the subjects Aristotle has influenced include: logic, physics, government and poetry. Aristotle’s study of poetry mainly focused on the elements to a good tragedy. Some of his elements have been used in Greek tragedies and modern movies. The Greek play, Medea, and the modern movie, No Country for Old Men, use elements from Aristotle philosophy, while using similar and different techniques but both achieving an effective tragedy.
Greek comedies such as those of Naevius and Andronicus, as well as historical writings in epic poems (First Punic War), tell the story of Rome and its conquests and served as prototypes for Aroman epics. Later poets imitated early Roman writers as they used these early writings for springboards into further development of drama. For example, Plautus’s lively plays were a model for much subsequent European comedy and are still performed today (encarta.msn).