7815mm+Ancient+Civ.+Essay

Ancient Greek Civilization: Theater and Drama Megan M. Reading and Language Arts, Marking Period 4, Class 7-8 Mr. Schoch June 7, 2012

Do you think you know all about Greek life, culture, and what they do for fun? Even though people might think they know everything about Ancient Greece, there is still so much to learn about. One really interesting topic that some people might not know so much about is their theater and drama. Theater is a big part in Greek life. Greek is a very fascinating culture. There is so much about Greek that is so amazing. Greece is the country that Greek comes from. Greek comes from the word “Graihos” which means inhabitants of Garia. The roman gave that name to the Greeks ([]). The time period for the time of the Greek theater is between 600 to 200 BC ([]). We remember them by their theater. We still have theater today and learn all new things about theater. A big part of theater that we still use today is Broadway, performances, and Opera houses. It is great that we still have it today so we can relate to it and remember it in the future.

An equally important and fascinating part of Greek culture, however; was its theater and its drama. Theater and drama were so important to greek culture because it was used to entertain and celebrate ([]). We can learn more about this culture by looking at the ways Greek do their special ways. They also did special effects. The ways are the way that is was held and all about the history behind it. The way they prep for the performance and the costumes they wear for it. Then the types of plays are last.

The history behind the stages and where it was held and the background of it. In the early years they used to perfo high hills and grassy areas.Then they started building and adding more onto it. An example is the wood benches for people to start sit on. This made it easy for everyone to see ([]). One special effect that they used was stones that they rolled under seats to make the sound effect of thunder and rumble (Young pg.9). The stadium could hold up to 6,000 people but the theater was able to hold over 10,000 people. It is pretty amazing (Powell pg. 88).

The costumes and Preparation are very big in Greek theater. One reason why costumes are very important because they could tell who each person was. They had this because in case someone played more than one part and the people need to know that it is a different character ([]). The costumes were made from linen and silk. The costumes were really pretty when they performed. Most of the costumes were over the shoulder which mean it was on one side of the shoulder. They used face paint also to make expression ([]). They would also use the masks to represent females from males and each characters. ([]

In the theater, they use different types of plays. Comedy, tragedy, and satyr. When the actors perform comedy plays, the play is made to make the audience laugh and be funny ([]). When people are looking for more serious and death plays it is tragedy. Tragedy sometimes makes the performances and it has chorus in it from the word satyr. Poets usually write the short stories ([]). The citizens loved all the plays. These plays were very important to the Greeks.

Greek was very helpful in getting new and improved information. We get a lot of useful things that we use today. Greeks were the first people take an approach by studying diseases scientifically. One of the greatest accomplishment was the development of the world's first democracy. The greeks wrote outstanding poems and writings. Greek culture have a lot that they started that we took and use today in our own lives. Another big part that we have today from the greeks is theater. We have all kinds of theater today( Zeman pg.24).

Glossary

special effects- an effect used to produce scenes that cannot be achieved by normal techniques. Stadium- A large structure that can hold many people in it to watch an event. comedy- A dramatic play that makes the audience laugh. tragedy- Plays were someone dies or suffers and harmful things happen to them to make the audience enjoy it. satyr- a piece of writing written by a poet; very short plays. * all definitions come from www.wordnik.com

Picture Credits http://images.halloweencostumes.com/greek-masks.jpg

http://www.jameshull.com/images/apr.14.greek.amph.jpg http://www.crystalinks.com/greekactorsmasks.jpg In line with text | Fixed position

Works Cited "Ancient Greek Theater Masks and Costumes." Ancient Greek Theater Masks and Costumes. 18 May 2012. . "Ancient Greek Theaters." - Ancient Greece for Kids! 15 May 2012. . "Ancient Greek Theaters." - Ancient Greece for Kids! 18 May 2012. . "Ancient Greek Theatre." Ancient Greek Theatre. 18 May 2012. . PBS. PBS. 18 May 2012. . "Satyr Play." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. 30 May 2012. . "Special Effect." Wordnik.com. 30 May 2012. . Zeman, Anne. Everything You Need to Know About World History :. New York: Scholastic, 1995.