In Ancient Greek times, one prominent form of art was displayed through theater. As an art, Greek theater developed aesthetic value, religious insight, and scientific influence toward the society in which it was created. One of the most influential individuals who drew the interest of many to this particular art was Sophocles, writer of the Oedipus Trilogy. With the vast number of people attending the plays, the Greeks had to engineer a theater and props that were both aesthetic and effective. The classical Greek amphitheater consisted of a stage and a semispherical crowd around it. Despite the ingenious design, disadvantages such as sight and sound hindered the audience from enjoying the full potential that the play offered. To combat these issues, masks with amplifiers and elevated shoes called cothurni, gave the audience a fair share of beautiful art and effectiveness.
Not only did classical Greek theater offer aesthetic value, but also a chance to communicate profound ideas such as religion, ethics, and morals. Plays were acted in the Festival of Dionysus, god of party and revelry, which showed that the Greek’s polytheistic religion played a vital role in their everyday life. One of Sophocles’ plays, Oedipus the King, which was performed at this festival countless times, offered intriguing questions that begged discussion and debate among the crowd during intermissions. Upon finishing the play, each member of the audience was expected to reach a catharsis, which would prompt them to question their role in society and make them a useful citizen. The catharsis was coined by Aristotle, one of Ancient Greece’s greatest thinkers along with Plato. Ultimately, Sophocles’ plays and the art of theater in general also influenced scientific development through Plato and Aristotle who made momentous discoveries in physics and reasoning.
No comments:
Post a Comment