Greek Theater; Historical Play Project: Day 6; Hamilton: Act 2

Lab: (period 1--until 8:05)

This morning please watch the following video and take notes on the graphic organizer about Greek Theater. Turn in your graphic organizer after reading Antigone (Thursday, Dec. 21). This counts as a test score.

WATCH/TAKE NOTES: An introduction to Greek Theater.

The structure of a Greek play was typically:

• a prologue leading to a parados (or parode)--this is like the teaser or cold open of a tv show
• several episodes (typically 3-5), each followed by a choral ode
• choral odes were typically made up of stasimons, strophes, and antistrophes. (Turn and counterturn toward or away from the altar--stylistically the chorus arguing on a specific point or detail. In practice it helps develop the "chorus" as they consider both sides of an issue)
• an ending or leaving of the chorus (exode) to signal the end of the play (the chorus exits, signaling the end of the play--today we just lower the lights or close the curtain)

As you read Antigone by Sophocles, pay close attention to the use of:

• Hamartia (fatal or tragic flaw)
• Catharsis (emotional purging when watching a play--crying/laughing, etc. of audience)
• Peripety or peripeteia (turning point)
• Anagnorisis (a moment of understanding; enlightenment)
• Deus Ex Machina (a contrived ending)
• Tragedy (and comedy)
• Dithyramb (choral song)
• skene (scenery or set)
• Choragos or choragus (leader of the chorus)
• parados/exodus (entrance/exit of chorus)

How do these terms/ideas work together to make an effective play-going experience? As you read Antigone, what themes/issues or ideas are presented to us? Why might these ideas be helpful or useful to us at this point in our history?

After viewing the video and taking notes on the material above, continue writing your draft of your historical play project. This is due next week.

Period 2:

We'll continue examining/reading/listening to Hamilton: Act 2. Answer the notes concerning Greek tragedy and Hamilton: the Musical.

HOMEWORK: Read Antigone & answer the questions (pages 337-387) for Thursday, Dec. 21. Historical play project drafts are due Thursday, Dec. 21st as well.