Greek Tragedy
Part II: Aeschylus
(525/524-456/55)
| The Theatre |
(Source: depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/classics/tragedy.htm) Following each scene of dialogue or monologue, the chorus danced and sang on a level terrace called an orchestra in front of the sloping seating and viewing area (theatron). At the back of the terrace was the wooden skene from which we get the word scene. The skene had a door and roof (for the gods). On either side of the skene were ramps (paradoi) leading to the orchestra. There was also an altar, a large wheeled platform (eccyclema) for interior scenes, and a crane (mechane). In the 4th century unbelievable happy endings were created at the last minute by bringing down a god on the mechane (deus ex machina) to resolve the plot.
Go to Greek Plays for online English translations of Aeschylus' tragedies.
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