代表作俄狄浦斯王.PPT

Ancient Greek Drama:Tragedy and Comedy Lecturer: Wu Shiyu Email: shiyuw@ /bbs Previous Lecture Great Leaders and Their Visions (Thomistocles and Pericles); The Democratic Reform of the System of Justice; The Prosperous Athens. Ancient Greek Drama:Tragedy and Comedy Lecturer: Wu Shiyu Email: shiyuw@ /bbs 1. The Historical and Social Context Athens grown into a major sea power protecting important trade routes; prosper from these trade routes; A cultural sponge: absorbing influences from all over the ancient world; A great breeding ground: Trade and money flowed, art flourished, and new ideas spread. This hive of activity was for the development of Athenian drama. 1. The Historical and Social Context Pericles turned the Delian League into Athenian Empire and pushed for Democratic reform; Poor people make a living by rowing or as a juror. 1. The Historical and Social Context The presentations of the plays themselves were political events, financed by the state and part of a huge national holiday; The Theatre of Dionysus on the slope of the Acropolis in Athens capable of accomodating around 30,000. 2. A Day at the Theatre The Athenians went to the theatre just twice a year at two festivals in honor of the god Dionysos (Drama Competition ): (1) The City Dionysia (The Dionysia): In the month of March, over three days. Performances include Dithyrambs, tragic plays, comedies, and Satyr plays; (2) The Lenaia Festival: In the month of January. This was during the winter, then there was no sailing. Aristophanes performed his early works at the Lenaia. 2. A Day at the Theatre: The Night Before A great feast and celebration honoring the presence of Dionysos, whose statue had been brought into the city earlier that day on a ship and rolled through the streets of Athens. 2. A Day at the Theatre: The Day of the Festival Citizens gather at the theatre on the southern slope of the Acropolis in Athens; Work would stop in At