Literature and Drama: Greek plays; Indian epics
Greek Plays
In the fifth century BC Greek plays began as festivals in honor of their god, Dionysus.In Athens, men started out performing songs to welcome Dionysia. Then, plays were presented at the festival called “City Dionysia”. Being the main center of these theatrical traditions, Athens spread these festivals to many of their allies to promote a common identity.
Only three actors were allowed to perform in each play, until later when they allowed non speaking roles to participate on stage. The chorus became a very important part of the Geek plays, played during the chorus’ delivery of its lines. The three major elements that these plays consisted of are the orchestra, the skene (backstage), and the audience.
Tragedy and comedy were two of the most common play types. Tragedy (which means goat song), is said that it was developed from dithyrambs a song that praised Dionysus at the Dionysia every year. The three most well known playwrights of the 5th century are Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus. As for comedy plays, there was no trace of its origin, but most were written by Aristophanes. One out of the eleven plays survived, Lysistrata.
These plays were performed outside in open air structures on slopes of hills. The theaters were constructed to transmit even the smallest sound to every single seat. The shapes of the masks worn by the actors also helped to project their voice or amplify it. The plays were founded by Polis and put into competition for first, second, or third.
(J.A.C.)
http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Theatre/
http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/theater.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/590186/theatre
Only three actors were allowed to perform in each play, until later when they allowed non speaking roles to participate on stage. The chorus became a very important part of the Geek plays, played during the chorus’ delivery of its lines. The three major elements that these plays consisted of are the orchestra, the skene (backstage), and the audience.
Tragedy and comedy were two of the most common play types. Tragedy (which means goat song), is said that it was developed from dithyrambs a song that praised Dionysus at the Dionysia every year. The three most well known playwrights of the 5th century are Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus. As for comedy plays, there was no trace of its origin, but most were written by Aristophanes. One out of the eleven plays survived, Lysistrata.
These plays were performed outside in open air structures on slopes of hills. The theaters were constructed to transmit even the smallest sound to every single seat. The shapes of the masks worn by the actors also helped to project their voice or amplify it. The plays were founded by Polis and put into competition for first, second, or third.
(J.A.C.)
http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Theatre/
http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/theater.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/590186/theatre
Indian Epic
An Indian Epic Poem is a long poem usually passed on orally from ancient times. This epic poem tells story/stories of the deeds and adventures of legendary heroic figures or a nation’s history.
Two major Indian Epic poems are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Ramayana is one of the most read epics, written by Maharshi Valmiki.
Almost every boy and girl knows the story of Ramayana by heart. Every real Hindu has high respect for this epic. Also, the Ramayana has given the status of the holy book. Every kid in every household are taught the values and idealistic principals highlighted throughout this epic. This Epic is said to have been composed more than 2500 years ago and was originally transmitted orally by bards. There are about 24,000 verses in the Ramayana. The Ramayana is still around today, because it plays and important part in the Indian society to this day.
The Mahabharata is the longest sanskirt epic ever written. The story told in the Mahabharata is much revered in India and basically among the Hindus. Inside of this long Epic poem, the Bhagawad, the well known gospel of duty, taught to the great warrior by lord Krishna. The Mahabharata focuses on the aspect of important goals of a human being in his life. This epic poem is 74,000 versus long. This Indian Epic is so long that it had to be separated into 18 books. The lesson taught in the Epic Poem is obviously still relevant to today.
Thus we see that Literature and Drama had a large impact on the societies, cultures, and religions. Their importance back then, is equally as important now.
(J.A.C.)
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/189625/epic
http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/lessons-indian-epics-following-dharma
http://www.iloveindia.com/literature/sanskrit/indian-epics/
Two major Indian Epic poems are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Ramayana is one of the most read epics, written by Maharshi Valmiki.
Almost every boy and girl knows the story of Ramayana by heart. Every real Hindu has high respect for this epic. Also, the Ramayana has given the status of the holy book. Every kid in every household are taught the values and idealistic principals highlighted throughout this epic. This Epic is said to have been composed more than 2500 years ago and was originally transmitted orally by bards. There are about 24,000 verses in the Ramayana. The Ramayana is still around today, because it plays and important part in the Indian society to this day.
The Mahabharata is the longest sanskirt epic ever written. The story told in the Mahabharata is much revered in India and basically among the Hindus. Inside of this long Epic poem, the Bhagawad, the well known gospel of duty, taught to the great warrior by lord Krishna. The Mahabharata focuses on the aspect of important goals of a human being in his life. This epic poem is 74,000 versus long. This Indian Epic is so long that it had to be separated into 18 books. The lesson taught in the Epic Poem is obviously still relevant to today.
Thus we see that Literature and Drama had a large impact on the societies, cultures, and religions. Their importance back then, is equally as important now.
(J.A.C.)
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/189625/epic
http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/lessons-indian-epics-following-dharma
http://www.iloveindia.com/literature/sanskrit/indian-epics/