Achaeans, contemporary with Hittite Empire. His analysis of tragedy constitutes the core of the discussion. They are similar in the fact that they are all imitations but different in the three ways that Aristotle describes:ĭifferences in music rhythm, harmony, meter and melodyĭifference in how the narrative is presented: telling a story or acting it out In it, Aristotle offers an account of what he calls "poetry" (a term which in Greek literally means "making" and in this context includes drama - comedy, tragedy, and the satyr play - as well as lyric poetry and epic poetry). Shortly after Plato died, Aristotle left Athens and, at the request of Philip II of Macedon, tutored Alexander the Great beginning in 343 BC.Īristotle's Poetics is the earliest surviving work of dramatic theory and first extant philosophical treatise to focus on literary theory in the West. His writings cover many subjects and constitute the first comprehensive system of Western philosophy. At 17 or 18 he joined Plato's Academy in Athens and remained there until the age of 37.
ODE PERFORMED BY A CHORUS IN STROPHES TRIAL
Whereas Socrates was eventually put on trial and executed as a corrupting influence, Euripides chose a voluntary exile in old age, dying in Macedonia. His contemporaries associated him with Socrates as a leader of a decadent intellectualism, both of them being frequently lampooned by comic poets such as Aristophanes. He was also unique among writers of ancient Athens for the sympathy he demonstrated towards all victims of society, including women. He also became "the most tragic of poets", focusing on the inner lives and motives of his characters in a way previously unknown. More of his plays have survived intact than those of Aeschylus and Sophocles together, partly due to mere chance and partly because his popularity grew as theirs declined.Įuripides is identified with theatrical innovations that have profoundly influenced drama down to modern times, especially in the representation of traditional, mythical heroes as ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Of the 95+/- plays attributed to him, 18 or 19 have survived more or less complete, and there are also fragments, some substantial, of most of the other plays. Along with Aeschylus and Sophocles, he is one of the three ancient Greek tragedians a number of whose plays have survived. Opulent language (pomp, grandeur), habit of using compound words (inventing language) Spectacular effects/mechanical devices (especially in terms of makeup) Introduction of 2 actors (3rd actors added late in career Sophocles innovation) Only real competition was the young poet Sophocles Witnessed the end of tyranny and the growth of democracyįought at Marathon and, probably, at Salamis and Plataea The significance of war in Ancient Greek culture was so great that Aeschylus' epitaph commemorates his participation in the Greek victory at Marathon while making no mention of his success as a playwright.ĭied at a very advanced age, author of many tragediesīorn at Eleusis of an aristocratic family → time to devote to poetry/tragedy He was probably the first dramatist to present plays as a trilogy his Oresteia is the only ancient example of the form to have survived. Only 7 of his estimated 70-90 plays have survived. According to Aristotle, he expanded the number of characters in theater allowing conflict among them characters previously had interacted only with the chorus.
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