Question

In 300 words or less, explain how ancient Greek Drama is different from our contemporary experience at the movies or at the theater.

Answer 1

There are many differences. Greek theater had a chorus, which sang and likely danced. The arrangement of the stage was completely different, featuring a single building with a large entrance on to the stage, a crane to bring divine characters in on a higher level, a dancing area for the chorus, and so on. Actors were all male and performed in masks; there were few actors available for the playwright's use (two or later three could be on stage at a time). Plays were put on at civic/religious festivals, not as standalone productions, and cycles of four plays (three tragedies and a comic satyr play) by the same author were performed. The list could go on for a while.

Answer 2

Greek theater was very different from modern theater. Greeks only did two types of dramas- tragedy and comedy. Today we still do those but have a lot more like musical theater. Also a comedy back then means something different form now. In Ancient Greece a comedy meant a happy ending while a tragedy was a sad ending. Today a tragedy kinda means the same but a comedy means something funny. Also only men were allowed to preform, even the women roles. Today both men and women are on stage. Then lastly, greeks did dramas for religious festivals, today we do it for many reasons.