Contexts: Greek Theatre

Contexts : Unit 4.

• What was the time period of the Greek Theatre?

The time period of the Greek Theatre began in the 5th (532 BC) century in the capital of Greece Athens

• What else was happening at the same time? Social etc

In the 5th century there was a lot of migration and political instability in Eurasia, as well as seeing the collapse of the Western Roman Empire which occured in 476 AD

• Who were the dramatists of the day?

Aristophanes, Sophocles and Aeschylus

• What were their main plays?

Aristophanes : Lysistrata, The Frogs, The Clouds and The Birds

Sophocles : Antigone, Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus and Ajax

Aeschylus : The Oresteian Trilogy, Prometheus and Agamemnom

• What were some of the themes of the plays

Theme of Lysistrata : Peace and Unity, Power and Gender and Politics

Theme of Antigone : Fate and Free Will, Rules and Order and Power

Theme of Agamemnom : Revenge which is closely tied to the theme Justice And Judgement

• Were they socially relevant? Why?

Agamemnom was the commander of the Greek Forces in the Trojan War, this is very relevant because wars have big impacts to society to this day.

• What are the themes of the play you're working on?

I'm studying Antigone, the main themes of Antigone are Fate and free will, Power and Rules and Order.