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Aristotle

Aristotle – an Ancient Greek Philosopher

September 18, 2021 by Essay Writer

Aristotle

Aristotle was an ancient greek philosopher, and is credited for inventing the systems that became the structure for Christian Scholasticism and medieval Islamic philosophy. Tutored Alexander The Great and was tremendously influential in the Middle Ages ( ¨Aristotle¨). His definition of a Tragedy was that in order to have one, it must have tragic and scary experiences to connect with the audience and make them think of their own sorrows; creating emotional ties towards the tragedy (¨Aristotle¨). Anagnorisis, a critical discovery in a play that alters ignorance to knowledge (¨Anagnorisis¨). Hamartia, also called the tragic flaw, is the fatal flaw or mistake leading to the downfall of a hero or the protagonist (¨Hamartia¨). Peripeteia, a sudden reversal or turning point which can help close a drama (¨Peripeteia¨). Hubris, the addition of physical violence to humiliate or degrade a character in a play (¨Hubris¨). Catharsis, the purification or cleansing of your feelings, or any extreme change in emotion that ends with renewal and restoration (¨Catharsis¨).

Dionysus and the Dionysian Festival

The early Greeks made almost every part of the world have to do with a god, natural or cultural. The earth, oceans, rivers, mountains are likely linked to a god respectively (¨Greek Religion¨). With the importance of Dionysus in art and literature, two festivals were held to honor him; one of which was the Dionysian Festival (¨Dionysus¨). Events like tragedy and comedy were held in Athens to honor Dionysus (¨Dionysus¨). The Ritual Dramas were written on the same spectacular adventures of greek heroes each festival; Whoever could act the best drama wins (¨Dramatic Literature¨). The three categories of Greek drama, Comedy, Tragedies and Satyr Plays. Were all used to entertain crowds during the middle ages in Athens (¨Dionysus¨).

Greek Dramatists

Thespis being the first actor in Greek drama, was often referred to as the inventor of tragedy. He was also the first to integrate a choral song into his actor´s speeches (¨Thespis¨). Now with music much more people could come enjoy and a pattern of innovation started occurring. Aeschylus, raised the stakes and heavily improved the current art of tragedy at that time with poetry and theatrical power (¨Aeschylus¨). This means that each play became much more sophisticated and less provincial when it comes to depth. Sophocles, his greatest invention was using props and scenery to create a sense of immersion for the audience which is still very much used to this day (¨Sophocles¨).Each Dramatists introduced a new concept and helped advance much of what is Greek Theater today. Euripides, along with the other two dramatists, many of his plays survived the fire and for that reason many stories have been realized and much has been learned about ancient greek (“Rome”).

Greek TheaterGreek Chorus, a group of specialized workers, who sing in a collective voice in dramatic action or any other major parts; their purpose is mostly in comedy, satyr plays and tragedies (¨Greek Drama¨). A Strophe refers to the first part of the ode in an Ancient Greek Tragedy, the antistrophe and finally epode. These are all sung by the chorus and add depth to the overall play (¨Greek Drama¨). The structure a theater in a play contain the Theatron, where the audience watches from ( stands ), both Parados and the Skene and the Orchestra, where the chorus would interact with the actors near the Skene (¨Dramatic Structure¨). Theatrical machinery was used like the deus ex machina where an actor could be brought to the stage. During the Hellenistic period, the greeks also used portable and moveable equipment (¨Dramatic Structure¨). Greek Masks were a significant element in worshiping Dionysus in Athens, probably mainly used at festivals and events to signify their love and trust for the greek god (¨Greek Religion¨).

Oedipus BackgroundThe Oracle of Delphi ( or pythia) was the name of a high priestess of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi who additionally also served as the the oracle. This is now the most important Shrine in all of Greece (´Greek Religion¨). Oedipus Rex is a story about fate. At first the king and queen of Thebes have a baby, and they get an oracle to foresee the future of Oedipus. The oracle says that he will somehow end up killing his father and marrying his mother. Being surprised, the mom and dad send Oedipus to another family at a farm so this wish is not fulfilled. One thing leads to another… Oedipus finds his father on the way to the city and kills him, and then Oedipus figures out a huge puzzle and gets married with the queen. After having a baby with the queen, the oracle comes back and tells the mother that ¨ fate has been met¨. This story became one of the most popular dramas to date (¨Greek Drama¨).

Works Cited:

  1. Britannica School, s.v. “Aeschylus,” accessed September 30, 2018, Web.”Anagnorisis.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2018, Web. Accessed 27 Sep. 2018.
  2. “Aristotle.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 5 Jan. 2018, Web. Accessed 26 Sep. 2018.
  3. “Dramatic literature.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 12 Aug. 2010, Web. Accessed 27 Sep. 2018.
  4. “Greek drama.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 28 Dec. 2017, Web. Accessed 27 Sep. 2018.
  5. “Greek religion.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 28 Dec. 2017, Web. Accessed 27 Sep. 2018.
  6. “Hamartia.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2008, Web. Accessed 27 Sep. 2018.
  7. “Hubris.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 2 Dec. 2014, Web. Accessed 27 Sep. 2018.
  8. “Peripeteia.” Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2018, Web. Accessed 27 Sep. 2018.
  9. Britannica School, s.v. “Sophocles,” accessed September 30, 2018, Web.Britannica School, s.v. “Thespis,” accessed September 30, 2018, Web.
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