1.What place did theatre have in Greek society?
The Theatre of Ancient Greece (Ancient Greek Drama) was a theatrical culture which really began to flourish and sustain itself in Ancient Greece between 550BC and 220BC. Athens, which became a significant cultural, political and military power during this time, was at the centre of Drama’s rise to popularity. An annual festival called the Dionysian, honouring the god Dionysus, was hosted in Athens and played a big part in Drama’s institutionalisation. Tragedy (late 6th century BC) was the oldest form of theatre in Anient Greece, followed by comedy (486BC) and satyr plays which emerged in Athens. Greece exported the festival and toured it around it’s numerous colonies and allies to promote a ‘common cultural identity’. This was really the start of western theatre and it helped western culture to grow on the whole, becoming a more intelligent and sophisticated society.
2.What impact did the play have on each section of society?
With the play being produced and performed initially at the Dionysian Festival during the Peloponnese War, the effect on society would be limited due to the seriousness of the war and the fact that the play was a comedic and satirical view upon their society. The main victim to the comedy was women as the main joke of the plot lies with the lunacy and ridiculousness of women running Athens. Despite this however, the play does appear almost prophet-like in some sense, as it seems to show a glimpse of a future society over 2000 years after the play was produced. In any way, it definitely suggests that women should be listened to, on occasion.
3.What was Aristophanes’ intended impact on the audience?
Aristophanes’ anti-war motives are very clear in the play. His intention is to make a play which the audience find amusing, but also to make one which opens their eyes to the foolishness of war, and to try and edge Athens and Sparta closer to making peace in the Peloponnesian War. He dislikes the violence and suggests, in his play, that even women were able to understand that the war needed to end, hoping it would prompt people towards peace talks.
4.Ext. What are the conventions of the theatre space at the time of the original performance?
All plays would be performed in open air and during the day. The stage was a circular dance floor, of which the audience would occupy half the space.
5.Ext. What conventions are used during performances of the time?
There were typically ten comedies produced each year for the Dionysian Festival, however during the Peloponnesian War this number was reduced to six. The magistrate or commissioner of the town would decide which of the comedies would be performed at the festival(s). Actors wore masks which completely covered and obscured their faces and their facial features meaning that all expression and emotion had to be shown solely through voice and gesture. There were no female actors allowed and therefore men would play both sexes. In order to distinguish between the two, male characters would often be accompanied with large artificial genitals on their costumes to heighten their masculinity.
