Describe the theatre buildings and stage devices available to a playwright in ancient Greece. How do these compare with a modern theatre and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
Describe the theatre buildings and stage devices available to a playwright in ancient Greece. How do these compare with a modern theatre and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? The ancient Greeks held their dramatic shows in open air, but most modern theatres are enclosed buildings. There are a number of similarities, such as the acting area and seating; but some differences, such as raised acting areas. The open-air theatre at Epidauros. It is the most reliable theatre we have still standing, as the rest have been built over, or destroyed. The skene was situated at the back of the orchestra (dancing area), and was originally a simple tent or hut in which actors could store props or change costumes. This developed into a more complicated wooden structure which, whilst still only temporary, was fitted with at least one door for actors to move in and out. It would also sometimes be painted to represent the front of a building; columns suggested a temple or palace. By the 4th century BC, the skene was a permanent stone structure, with as many as three doors, and accommodated the new mechanical devices that were being used. The chorus could create a shocking or startling effect by coming out of the skene doors. The orchestra was the acting/dancing area and would have been just a flattened earth circle for the chorus with an altar to Dionysus in the centre. It
'How does the playwrite create and maintain the dramatic force of the play?'
'How does the playwrite create and maintain the dramatic force of the play?' 'The mighty words of the proud are paid in full with mighty blows of fate, and at long those blows will teach us wisdom' Essentially, one of several dramatic force of the play Antigone is built and maintained through pride, excessive pride and hubris within the characters of Antigone and Creon has led them to fall great lengths, resulting in a tragedy. Both Antigone and Creon are incredibly proud, making it impossible for either one of them to back down once they have taken a stand. Pride is part of what makes Antigone heroic in the Greek sense. Ultimately, the whole play is based on Antigone's struggle against Creon's edict, the confrontation between an individual and the state; Antigone's struggle against the decree underlines the fact that the power of conscience is very often above and more powerful than the law; shown by the fact that Antigone sticks to her ideals even before the face of death for 'that death will be a glory'. Antigone's heroic qualities of excessive pride, only dieing with glory and honor helps create the dramatic force. Conversely, Antigone's struggle against Creon shows the struggle between democracy and autocracy. Creon's attempts to establish autocracy to maintain order and stability, but with Antigone it has turned out to be a tyranny. His attempt to bring order and
In the book "Things Fall Apart" there are many characters whose personal attributes and accolades describe who they are
In the book "Things Fall Apart" there are many characters whose personal attributes and accolades describe who they are. The character that best fits this description is Okonkwo. Throughout the book the narrator expresses Okonkwo's character as a hard nose, and manly. Okonkwo's most distinguishing attributes were his dialogue with other characters, and his reactions to people and their situations. Okonkwo was a "strong man whose life was dominated by fear and anger"(Chinua Achebe). He feared that he would turn out like his father, so he stood for and did the exact did the opposite of whatever his dad stood for. In Things Fall Apart the narrator portrays Throughout Okonkwo's life his motivation to become a strong and independent man was his father. Okonkwo's father Unoka was poor, profligate, cowardly, gentle, and interested in music and conversation. Okonkwo saw these attributes as a weakness and he stray in a different direction. He showed little compassion, little patience, and he was not one for conversation. This was Okonkwo's way of life, this is who he had become, and because of it he would live in fear and anger. Okonkwo's dialogue with other characters in the book is more of a boss type of relationship. In his village he is known for his hard nose attitude, so not many people converse with him. The people who surround Okonkwo are mainly his family members. To his
Multiple choice questions from The Crucible.
. _______________________was the wife of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, who, from all accounts, was one of those men for whom both sides of the argument had to have respect. He was called upon to arbitrate disputes as though he were an unofficial judge, and _________________also enjoyed the high opinion most people had for him. A. Danforth, B. Abigail, C. Elizabeth Proctor D. Rebecca Nurse E. Ann Putnam 2. _________________was a farmer in his middle thirties. He need not have bee a partisan of any faction in the town, but there is evidence to suggest that he had a sharp and biting way with hypocrites. He was the kind of man-powerful of body, even-tempered, and not easily led-who cannot refuse to support partisans without drawing their deepest resentment. A. Giles Corey B. John Proctor C. Francis Nurse D. Thomas Putnam E. Cheever 3. A word about _________________. He was a man with many grievances, at least one of which appears justified. Some time before, his wife's brother-in-law, James Bayley had been turned down as minister at Salem. Bayley had all the qualifications, and a two-thirds vote into the bargain, but a faction stopped his acceptance, for reasons that are unclear. _________________was the eldest son of the richest man in the village. A. Thomas Putnam B. Hale C. Danforth
To what extent would you agree with the idea that Chinua Achebe presents Okonkwo as a tragic hero caught up in the clash between two different viewws of the world?
THINGS FALL APART From the works of Aristotle, a writer of tragedy in the third century BC a list of six points has been produced, showing six essential qualities needed to make a true tragic hero within a tragedy. A tragic hero is, for example, like the character Macbeth, in Shakespeare's famous play "Macbeth". Macbeth is one of the Kings greatest men, until his greed for the throne overcomes him and he becomes an evil man. Most tragic heroes have a tragic flaw, Macbeth's was his desire for the throne. I agree entirely with the statement that Okonkwo is a tragic hero for the reasons laid out below. One of Aristotle's characteristics of a tragic hero is that they must have noble stature. This is because a tragedy involves the fall of a hero, to fall; the hero must have a high position among people from which to fall. Okonkwo has a noble stature from which to fall. Okonkwo's father was seen as one of the lowest in his society, this was because he was in debt to many of the other villagers and because he did not grow many yams, a symbol of manliness. 'Unoka, (Okonkwo's father) the grown-up, was a failure.' Many in the society of Umuofia looked down upon Okonkwo's father, this greatly embarrassed Okonkwo and so he decided, from a young age not to be like his father. Even as a very young man Okonkwo established his fame, much more so than his father had ever done in his long
How do Books 1 - 4 of the Odyssey prepare us for the introduction of the hero Odysseus in Book 5?
How do Books 1 - 4 of the Odyssey prepare us for the introduction of the hero Odysseus in Book 5? Odysseus is mentioned once, and very vaguely between the first four books of the Odyssey. Instead the first four books almost act as a prologue or an introduction to They Odyssey. They are preparing us for the introduction of the main character, Odysseus. The first four books instead give us an insight to some of the characters and what they think about the main character, Odysseus. We get lots of information about Odysseus from the first four books that, in many ways help build up a picture of what he is like and what we can possibly expect from him in the rest of the book. The first four books is also known as 'The Telemachy.' It begins in the year of Odysseus' return. We go on to understand that Odysseus has angered Poseidon for reasons that the story later reveals; the God of the sea blocks his progress from the island. Athene likes Odysseus' and pleads his case to the other Olympians. Zeus, the king of Gods makes a decision and the wishes of Poseidon are set aside: Odysseus will be allowed to return home. The story begins ten years after the end of the Trojan Wary. All the Greek heroes except Odysseus have returned home. Odysseus pines on the remote island Ogygia with a goddess named Calypso. Calypso has fallen in love with Odysseus and refuses to let him go home. The
What do these first four books do? Why doesn't Odysseus show up till later? Who talks about him and what do they say?
Sarah Bartle Schulweis English 3 Odyssey Topic Question What do these first four books do? Why doesn't Odysseus show up till later? Who talks about him and what do they say? The first four books are like an introduction to the rest of the book. Each person encountered and each situation explains further about Odysseus' personality. The entire book is about his adventures. During these first few chapters we get to experience Odysseus from other people's points of view. Before we get to his adventures we learn about who he is. We can get to know him through his son, his wife, his homeland, his friends who knew him in battle, and the gods who like or dislike him. In Book I, we see Athena and her kindness towards Odysseus through her visiting Telemachos and making sure that Odysseus gets home safely. Athena visits Telemachos as a traveler/friend of the family and his him strength and permission to use his power over the household and the suitors that are taking advantage of him. This is Athena not only helping Telemachos, but also Odysseus' home. In Book II, Telemachos calls for a meeting. This shows his power over everyone, and his great strength. The resemblances that he holds of his father are first mentioned here. During this meeting he sets up a mission to find out if his father is alive. This chapter mentions a situation that Penelope is in. She promised the
Who is the Tragic Hero and Why? (Antigone)
Jonathan Ng March 5, 2004 Period 6: English Essay Who is the Tragic Hero and Why? In various literary works, the conflict between the antagonist and protagonist holds great significance towards the literary works' main idea. In Sophocles' Greek tragedy, Antigone, both roles greatly impact the base, moral, idea, and conflict of the play. It is crucial to place a consideration of the time this Greek play was written because of the style of the context. During this period of time called the golden age, the style of writing for great playwrights such as Sophocles was of or related to tragedy. In every tragedy, a tragic hero is found. According to one of the most significant scholars of the golden age, Aristotle, the definition of a tragic hero relies on five events and traits which the character must experience. These five traits, events, and experiences consist of: being well known in their community, expressing either fame or infamy, can not be completely good or bad, must have a flaw in character and recognize this flaw, experience a reversal of fortune, and experience a downfall of some sort. Surprisingly, the tragic hero of the play may not necessarily be the protagonist, but possibly the antagonist. In the play Antigone, the great playwright Sophocles exhibits the perfect example of a tragic hero, the antagonist Creon in contrast to Antigone herself, the
Throughout the play 'Antigone' there is a constant emphasis on the use and abuse of power.
In 'Antigone', what views does Sophocles present of: * The use of power * The conflict between the state's law and divine law * The position of women in society? The Use and Abuse of Power Throughout the play 'Antigone' there is a constant emphasis on the use and abuse of power. When the play begins Creon has just taken over as King of Thebes; it is literally his first day in power. At first he appears willing to listen to people as he summons his council. He says, "I have called you out of all my people...". He tells them, "For my part, I have always held the view that a King whose lips are sealed by fear, unwilling to seek advice is damned.". This sentiment is more than ironic in the light of his behaviour in the rest of the play. Later in the play, like Oedipus in the first of the Theban Plays, Oedipus Rex, Creon becomes very defensive when people try to give him advice. He accuses them of conspiring against him. When he first hears about Polynices being buried he thinks that there are "rebels, a band of men against his word and law." Creon prides himself in being a good man and a responsible king. He rules his city with the contention that his law is the only law. Antigone may be stubborn, but Creon's motivation seems rooted in a lack of reason and desire to dominate. Indeed, Sophocles demonstrates the "sin of refusing to listen, and about a man who has never been
How well do you think Ovid engages the reader in the telling of Scylla and Minos?
How well do you think Ovid engages the reader in the telling of Scylla and Minos? Scylla and Minos is one of the more light-hearted stories of the Metamorphoses in contrast with the previous episodes that Ovid inserts to keep the reader engaged and in the telling of the whole epic. Ovid includes many techniques to provide interest to the poem and engage the reader in the poem, all of which make the reader's experience much more enjoyable. The story is one that the reader relates with to quite and extent as the character of Scylla gets blinded by her love for Minos as the reader might have experienced themselves. Her young and childlike attitude is shown when she is idly throwing pebbles at the musical wall of the tower, thinking of her love who she has never met before. The fact that she is so innocent and does not realise what she is getting into by loving a man who is an enemy to her city engages the reader as they know that she is not thinking quite straight and may do things that she regrets later on. Scylla's description of Minos is very lengthy and in depth, showing every single aspect of Minos she adores - "How handsome that helmeted warrior looks!". The description shows how much Scylla is infatuated with Minos, thinking of the war as 'heart-breaking', not because of the fact that her city is being besieged by his army, but because it means that Minos is her