What is the structure of a Greek play?

The basic structure of a Greek tragedy is fairly simple. After a prologue spoken by one or more characters, the chorus enters, singing and dancing. Scenes then alternate between spoken sections (dialogue between characters, and between characters and chorus) and sung sections (during which the chorus danced).

What are the 5 parts of a Greek play?

They are:

  • Prologue: A monologue or dialogue presenting the tragedy’s topic.
  • Parados: The entry of the chorus; using unison chant and dance, they explain what has happened leading up to this point.
  • Episode: This is the main section of the play, where most of the plot occurs. …
  • Stasimon: …
  • Exodos:


What are the 3 major parts of a Greek play?

An ancient Greek play consisted of three major parts. The play began with a prologue, a simple speech. Then, there was the entrance (parodos) of the chorus. Finally, there were major episodes (notice “odes”) which were scenes or acts of the play.

What is the structure of Greek comedy?

They gradually took on a six-part structure: an introduction, in which the basic fantasy is explained and developed; the parodos, entry of the chorus; the contest, or agon, a ritualized debate between opposing principals, usually stock characters; the parabasis, in which the chorus addresses the audience on the topics …

How many acts are in a Greek play?

Modern playwrights divide their plays typically into five acts, where the division is marked by a distinct difference in the plot from one time, scene, location and the next. This 5-Act structure is sometimes called Freytag’s Pyramid.

What is the end of a Greek play called?

Typically there are three to six episode/stasimon rotations. The exodus is the final scene or departure, usually a scene of dialogue. In some cases, songs were added.

What are the 4 major parts of an ancient Greek theater?

Terms in this set (6)

  • theatron. “the seeing place” It is between the two entrances of the chorus, or the parados. …
  • orchestra. “where the action occurs” …
  • thymele. “the altar to Dionysus” …
  • skene. “the dressing room” …
  • proskerion. “the backdrop for scenery” …
  • parados. “the two entrances for the chorus”