Introduction to Western Literature, Lesson Two
Monday, January 16, 5th and 6th periods
[LECTURE] Lysistrata is an example of the Greek form of drama termed Comedy. Borrowing heavily from the older dramatic form of Tragedy, the Greek comedy incorporated choral dances and masked actors, and made use of the same poetic meter and language. Greek tragedy -- and therefore, by extension, comedy -- has a characteristic structure in which scenes of dialogue alternate with choral songs. This arrangement allows the chorus to comment in its song in a general way on what has been said and/or done in the preceding scene. Most Greek dramas begin with an opening scene of expository dialogue or monologue called a prologue.
After the prologue the chorus marches into the orchestra chanting the parodos. The existance of a chorus is particular to the Greek drama, and is something that seems rather foreign to modern readers. The first function of the chorus was to chant an entrance song, or parodos, as they marched into the orchestra. Once the chorus had taken its position in the orchestra, its duties were twofold. It engaged in dialogue with characters through its leader, the Coryphaeus, who spoke the lines of dialogue assigned to the chorus. The chorus's most important function was to using and dance choral songs called stasima (singular stasimon).
Following the prologue comes a scene of dialogue called an episode, which in turn is followed by the first stasimon. The alternation of episode and stasimon continues until the last stasimon, after which there is a final scene of dialogue called an exodos or "exit scene". The exodos is in general a scene of dialogue, but, as in the case of episodes, sometimes songs are included.
An example of a typical structure:
* Prologue
* Parodos
* First Episode
* First Stasimon
* Second Episode
* Second Stasimon
* Third Episode
* Third Stasimon
* Fourth Episode
* Fourth Stasimon
* Exodos
The playwright Aristophanes produced at least forty plays between 427 and 387 BCE, eleven of which have survived to modern times. The actors wore masks that completely obscured their facial features and emotions were only shown by words and gesture. There were no female actors in this time and men played both sexes. Males often wore large artificial genitals on their costumes to heighten their masculinity.
Lysistrata is set during the Peloponnesian War, an intense conflict between Athens and Sparta for supremacy in Greece. The Athenians had more financial resources than the Spartans and were able to pay foreign sailors to command their naval fleet, but they faced many internal problems. There was a great deal of corruption among Athenian leaders and the government was finally overthrown in 411 BCE. The group of 400 men who overthrew the government attempted to form a dictatorial government and make peace with Sparta, but the Athenians then overthrew these men. Athens was then defeated by Sparta.
[DISCUSSION] Explain the following:
Why do the women of Athens resort to the measures they use to convince the men to stop making war?
[WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT] (Due by the end of class)
In approximately 100 words, explain the symbolism of the character "Peace".
***Assignment for next week: Read Plato's Symposium. We will also be hosting a guest lecturer: Professor CJ Cregg.***
[LECTURE] Lysistrata is an example of the Greek form of drama termed Comedy. Borrowing heavily from the older dramatic form of Tragedy, the Greek comedy incorporated choral dances and masked actors, and made use of the same poetic meter and language. Greek tragedy -- and therefore, by extension, comedy -- has a characteristic structure in which scenes of dialogue alternate with choral songs. This arrangement allows the chorus to comment in its song in a general way on what has been said and/or done in the preceding scene. Most Greek dramas begin with an opening scene of expository dialogue or monologue called a prologue.
After the prologue the chorus marches into the orchestra chanting the parodos. The existance of a chorus is particular to the Greek drama, and is something that seems rather foreign to modern readers. The first function of the chorus was to chant an entrance song, or parodos, as they marched into the orchestra. Once the chorus had taken its position in the orchestra, its duties were twofold. It engaged in dialogue with characters through its leader, the Coryphaeus, who spoke the lines of dialogue assigned to the chorus. The chorus's most important function was to using and dance choral songs called stasima (singular stasimon).
Following the prologue comes a scene of dialogue called an episode, which in turn is followed by the first stasimon. The alternation of episode and stasimon continues until the last stasimon, after which there is a final scene of dialogue called an exodos or "exit scene". The exodos is in general a scene of dialogue, but, as in the case of episodes, sometimes songs are included.
An example of a typical structure:
* Prologue
* Parodos
* First Episode
* First Stasimon
* Second Episode
* Second Stasimon
* Third Episode
* Third Stasimon
* Fourth Episode
* Fourth Stasimon
* Exodos
The playwright Aristophanes produced at least forty plays between 427 and 387 BCE, eleven of which have survived to modern times. The actors wore masks that completely obscured their facial features and emotions were only shown by words and gesture. There were no female actors in this time and men played both sexes. Males often wore large artificial genitals on their costumes to heighten their masculinity.
Lysistrata is set during the Peloponnesian War, an intense conflict between Athens and Sparta for supremacy in Greece. The Athenians had more financial resources than the Spartans and were able to pay foreign sailors to command their naval fleet, but they faced many internal problems. There was a great deal of corruption among Athenian leaders and the government was finally overthrown in 411 BCE. The group of 400 men who overthrew the government attempted to form a dictatorial government and make peace with Sparta, but the Athenians then overthrew these men. Athens was then defeated by Sparta.
[DISCUSSION] Explain the following:
Why do the women of Athens resort to the measures they use to convince the men to stop making war?
[WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT] (Due by the end of class)
In approximately 100 words, explain the symbolism of the character "Peace".
***Assignment for next week: Read Plato's Symposium. We will also be hosting a guest lecturer: Professor CJ Cregg.***