Introduction to Theatre 270TheatreOriginOutline of Main PointsTheatre OriginI. Where did Theatre first emerge?II. Fragmentary Evidence in various culturesA. Egypt, Mesopotamia, BabylonIII. First Definite Theatre Culture: Athens (Greece) – 6thCenturyIV. Two Leading Theories of Theatre OriginV. Religious Theory – The Golden Bough (1890-1914) – Sir James FrazerA. Six Phases of Development1. Concept of Sympathetic Magic2. Ritual Imitation of Animals3. Emergence of Leader of Ritual4. Idea of Sacrifice Developed5. Leader identified with Year Goda. Cycle of Birth, Death, Resurrection6. Myth of the Year Goda. Cultural EvidenceV. Religious Theory (Cont.)B. Development of the Dithyramb1. Evidence in Aristotle2. Connection to Greek ChorusVI. Socio-political Theory – The Origin and Early Form of Greek Tragedy (1965) – Gerald ElseA. Attacks Frazer “Developmental” modelB. Argues Theatre created out of efforts of four individuals1. Political Sphere - Solon, Pisistratus2. Artistic Sphere – Thespis, AeschylusC. Historical BackgroundC. Historical Background1. Argues Theatre originates 7thCentury B.C. –Province of Attica2. United under Dracoa. Draconian Code3. Early 6thCentury B.C. – Solon becomes leader of Athensa. Reform of Draconian Codeb. Principle of Democratic Participationc. Pan-Athenian Festivalsd. Revival of Greek Myths (Homer)e. Rudimentary Dramatic Forms CreatedC. Historical Background (Cont)4. Mid 6thCentury B.C. – Pisistratus becomes Leader of Athensa. Expanded Solon’s Reformsb. Formalized Democratic Principlesc. Strong Supporter of the Arts5. 536 B.C. – Pisistratus Establishes Festival of Dionysusa. Longest Continuous Dramatic Tradition in Western Theatreb. Thespis Wins Initial Playwriting ContestC. Historical Background (Cont)6. Significance of Thespis:a. Tragic protagonistb. Formalized dramatic enactmentc. Iambic verse structure7. Significance of Aeschylus:a. Introduces second actorb. Establishes dramatic actionThe