Lecture Plan: Classical and Renaissance
Drama
What is Drama?
The word drama comes from the Greek word dran, meaning "to do" or "to act."
Drama is a form of literature meant for performance, using dialogue and action.
It is distinct from novels and poetry because it comes to life on stage.
Origin of Drama
Originated in ancient Greece (6th century BCE) during religious festivals honoring
Dionysus, god of wine and fertility.
Drama evolved from ritualistic ceremonies where choral songs (dithyrambs) honored
Dionysus.
The first dramatic form was tragedy(534 BCE), followed by:
Satyr Plays (mix of tragic and comic elements – around 500 BCE)
Comedy (introduced in 486 BCE).
Significance of Drama
Social Reflection: Mirrors the values, struggles, and conflicts of society.
Moral and Philosophical Education: Teaches ethical lessons through stories.
Catharsis: According to Aristotle, tragedy helps audiences release emotions (pity and
fear), leading to psychological relief.
Preservation of Culture: Drama preserved history, myths, and traditions for future
generations.
Greek Classical Drama
Historical Context
Flourished in Athens (5th Century BCE) during the Golden Age.
Closely tied to religious festivals like the City Dionysia, combining worship and public
entertainment.
Greek drama reflects themes of:
Fate vs. Free Will
Justice and Vengeance
Human Suffering and Divine Intervention
Elements of Greek Drama
1. Prologue: Introduction setting the background.
2. Parodos: First song by the chorus as they enter.
3. Episodes: Main scenes where the story progresses.
4. Stasimon: Choral odes between episodes, reflecting on events.
5. Exodus: Conclusion where resolution happens, often with moral commentary from the
chorus.
The Role of the Chorus
A group of performers providing commentary, context, and emotional reflection.
Represented the collective voice of society, helping the audience interpret the unfolding
action.
The Stage and Spectacle in Greek Drama
Performed in open-air theaters like the Theatre of Dionysus.
Key features of the Greek stage:
Theatron: Seating area.
Orchestra: Circular space where the chorus performed.
Skene: Backdrop building used for entrances, exits, and scenery.
Parodos: Side passages for entry and exit of the chorus.
Costumes and Masks: Highly symbolic, indicating gender, social status, and emotion.
Stage Effects: Limited, though devices like the Mechane (crane for gods’ entrances) and
Ekkyklema (rolling platform to display off-stage deaths) were used.
Types of Greek Drama
1. Tragedy
Deals with serious themes like fate, justice, human flaws, and divine will.
Famous tragedies: Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Agamemnon by Aeschylus.
Focuses on the tragic hero, a noble character with a tragic flaw (hamartia).
2. Comedy
Satirical and humorous, mocking politics, society, and philosophy.
Famous example: Lysistrata by Aristophanes.
3. Satyr Plays
Short, comic relief plays performed between serious tragedies.
Combined crude humor with mythological stories.
The Three Unities (Aristotle’s Rules)
1. Unity of Time: Action takes place within 24 hours.
2. Unity of Place: One fixed location.
3. Unity of Action: One main plot, with no subplots.
Themes of Greek Drama
Fate vs. Free Will: Can humans escape destiny?
Hubris: Excessive pride leads to downfall.
Justice and Revenge: Morality struggles in personal and political life.
Divine Intervention: Gods control human fate.
Catharsis: Emotional cleansing experienced by the audience.
Key Greek Playwrights and Their Contributions
Aeschylus (525-456 BCE)
Father of Tragedy.
Added a second actor, allowing dialogue.
Wrote The Oresteia Trilogy, exploring justice and divine will.
Sophocles (496-406 BCE)
Introduced a third actor and improved character development.
Masterpiece: Oedipus Rex.
Explored personal responsibility and fate.
Euripides (480-406 BCE)
Focused on psychological realism and human emotions.
Famous works: Medea, The Trojan Women.
Questioned traditional religion and morality.
Aristophanes (446-386 BCE)
Master of Old Comedy.
Used humor to criticize society and politics.
Famous works: The Clouds, Lysistrata.
Roman Classical Drama
Influence from Greek Drama
Romans adopted Greek models, especially for comedy and tragedy.
Major Roman playwrights: Plautus, Terence, Seneca.
Elements of Roman Drama
Fabula Palliata: Adaptations of Greek comedies.
Fabula Togata: Comedies set in Roman society.
Farce: Slapstick humor, exaggerated characters.
Staging: Performed in amphitheaters with elaborate effects (trapdoors, machinery).
Roman Tragedy
Best represented by Seneca.
Known for philosophical dialogue, intense emotions, and violence on stage.
Focused on moral lessons, but emphasized spectacle and entertainment.
Characteristics of Roman Drama
More entertainment-focused than Greek drama.
Stock Characters:Recurring figures like:
Clever slave
Boastful soldier
Young lover
Strong influence of Roman culture, politics, and daily life.
Less philosophical depth than Greek tragedy.
Common Themes in Greek and Roman Drama
Divine Power: Gods actively shape events.
Human Nature: Power struggles, love, family, and revenge.
Moral Reflection: Actions have consequences.
Structured Dialogue: Formal and poetic speech.
Renaissance Drama
Revival of Classical Influence
Renaissance dramatists revived and adapted Greek and Roman themes.
Inspired by Aristotle, Seneca, and Plutarch.
Key Features of Renaissance Drama
1. Blend of Genres: Mixed tragedy and comedy (tragicomedy).
2. Humanism: Focused on human experience, ambition, and flaws.
3. Complex Plots: Subplots and parallel stories became common.
4. Philosophical Depth: Explored existential struggles, morality, and the afterlife.
Key Renaissance Playwrights
Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593)
Known for intense characters driven by ambition.
Most famous work: Dr Faustus, depicting the tragic pursuit of knowledge.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Master of combining psychology, philosophy, and plot complexity.
Famous tragedies: Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear.
Introduced comic relief even in serious plays.
Comparison: Greek vs Renaissance Tragedy
Greek Tragedy: Focused on fate, divine justice, and moral teaching.
Renaissance Tragedy: Emphasized individual struggle, psychological conflict, and
earthly ambition.
Conclusion
Classical and Renaissance drama laid the foundation for all modern theater.
Greek Drama taught the world the importance of fate, justice, and moral struggle.
Roman Drama added spectacle and variety.
Renaissance Drama revived the classics but focused more on human complexity.
Together, these traditions shape how we tell stories on stage even today — from modern
plays to films and TV dramas.
