Greek tragedy This is how theater of a tragic or disastrous nature became known. It emerged in the 6th century BC. C., during the festivals in honor of the god Dionysus. Therefore, in its origin, it has a religious character. Its function is to generate catharsis or purge of feelings by provoking terror and compassion in the public.
Mythological characters, in addition to a chorus, are present in this type of tragedy, whose plot is composed of a conflict, a revelation and a punishment. Finally, the main Greek tragedies are Prometheus in chains, by Aeschylus; Medea, by Euripides; It is Oedipus the King, by Sophocles.
Read too:Characteristics, authors and works of Greek literature
Topics in this article
- 1 - Summary of Greek tragedy
- 2 - What is Greek tragedy?
- 3 - Characteristics of Greek tragedy
- 4 - Elements of Greek tragedy
- 5 - Purpose of Greek tragedy
- 6 - Greek theater
- 7 - Authors and works of Greek tragedy
- 8 - Differences between Greek comedy and tragedy
- 9 - Curiosities about Greek tragedy
Summary of Greek tragedy
Greek tragedy is related to plays of a tragic or sad nature.
She represents superior beings, such as aristocrats, demigods and gods.
Its plot is composed of adventure, recognition and catastrophe.
Its objective is to provoke catharsis, that is, the purification of feelings.
Its main authors were Aeschylus, Euripides and Sophocles.
What is Greek tragedy?
Greek tragedy is a play in which characters considered superior (aristocrats, demigods and gods) experience tragic events, baleful, sad.
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Characteristics of Greek tragedy
Conflicts arising from human passions.
Superior or heroic characters.
Reflection on human life.
Valuing dialogue.
Mimetic aspect or imitation of reality.
Tragic or painful character.
Pedagogical or moral nature.
Elements of Greek tragedy
Acts and scenes.
Characters' speeches.
Rubrics or instructions from the playwright.
Choir, which forms the bridge between the audience and the characters.
Mythological characters.
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Plot:
conflict or mishap;
revelation or recognition;
punishment or catastrophe.
Purpose of Greek tragedy
The purpose of Greek tragedy is provoke the so-called catharsis, the release of bad feelings. Thus, the audience, faced with the tragic lives of the characters, is overcome with horror or pity, which leads them to purify their feelings. For those who have never had this theatrical experience, catharsis also occurs in front of films.
When we see a dramatic film that, for example, provokes fear, anger, love or pity in us, that makes us feel and even cry, we are experiencing catharsis. This boiling of feelings and sensations, therefore, takes on a purifying character, because, when we feel such emotions, we also free ourselves from them.
Read too:Epic — literary genre that focuses on heroic action
Greek theater
Greek theater is composed of tragedy and comedy. However, it began with tragedy, associated, in its origins, with religious worship. In this context, a prominent figure was Thespis (610-550 BC). C.), the first playwright of Greek theater and father of tragedy. He acted during the 6th century BC. W.
To theThe first theatrical performances in Greece were held in public squares. Only later was a space created for these presentations, that is, a theater. This is because Greek theater became respected by the State, given its civic and religious character. Thus, it was of great importance, especially in Athens.
You Greek theater actors wore masksThey had a symbolic character but were also used for acoustic reasons, as they amplified the sound of the actors' voices. The fact is that such masks became an essential accessory in theatrical plays, both in tragedy and comedy.
Thus, theater, as a cultural practice of great importance and solemnity, was embedded in Athenian culture. It therefore had a political, religious and educational character. Furthermore, it had a great influence on the behavior of the Ancient Greeks, as it was a Greek institution, something much greater than a simple means of entertainment.
Authors and works of Greek tragedy
→ Squirrel (525-455 a. W.):
The supplicants
Oresteia
The Persians
Prometheus in chains
→ Euripides (480-406 a. W.):
Andromache
The bacchantes
The Trojans
Medea
Orestes
→ Sophocles (497-405 a. W.):
Antigone
Oedipus at Colonus
Oedipus the King
Electra
Differences between Greek comedy and tragedy
Both the characteristics of tragedy and comedy were initially pointed out by the philosopher Aristotle (384-322 a. W.). Like this, if tragedy is the representation or imitation of superior beings, comedy is the representation or imitation of inferior beings.
Comedy awakens laughter by showing the ugly, the grotesque and the vices (contrary to the virtuous aspect of the tragic). Catharsis is also present in the comedy's reception; however, it is provoked by laughter at human ugliness, not only physical but also moral. Human deformation, in comedy, leads to contempt rather than compassion.
Curiosities about Greek tragedy
Greek tragedy is derived from the cult of the god of wine, that is, Dionysus, as it was part of the celebrations in honor of this god.
The word tragedy comes from the term tragoidy and means “song of the goat”.
The dithyramb, a song in honor of Dionysus, served as inspiration for the emergence of Greek tragedy.
Sources
ABAURRE, Maria Luiza M.; PONTARA, Marcela. Literature: times, readers and readings. 3. ed. São Paulo: Moderna, 2015.
ARISTOTLE; HORATIO; LONG. Classical poetics. Translated by Jaime Bruna. 7. ed. São Paulo: Cultrix, 1997.
BRANDÃO, Junito de Souza. Greek theater: tragedy and comedy. 13. ed. Petrópolis: Voices, 2022.
CODEÇO, Vanessa Ferreira de Sá. Ancient Greek theater: an instructive territory. Hellas, Niterói, v. 1, no. 1, p. 93-99, Jul. 2015.
SANTOS, Adilson dos. Greek tragedy: a theoretical study. Investigations Magazine, Recife, vol. 18, no. 1, p. 41-67, Jan. 2005.
WEXEL, Juliana. Christa Wolf's media voices: the polyphonic reinvention of the tragic myth. 2012. Dissertation (Master of Arts) – University of Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, 2012.
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Warley. "Greek tragedy"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/literatura/tragedia-grega.htm. Accessed on October 25, 2023.
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