Greek Theater Discussion Questions (with Answers)
Characteristics of Greek Theater
- Identify two things the Greeks gave to theater. [event/festival and performance area/stage]
- Who was Dionysus? [Greek god of wine]
- Identify and explain the parts of the Greek theater. [Theatron, skene, orchestra. You may want to have students draw the sketch as the narrator of the clip is explaining the parts of the Greek theater.]
- What is the function of the chorus? [They comment on the action and fill the audience in on what is not seen.]
- What was the function of a mask in Greek theater? [It was used instead of makeup.]
- Describe the scenery used in Greek theater. [It was simple. There were no scenery changes; instead, these changes were accomplished through a messenger.]
- How is Greek theater different from modern theater? [In Greek plays, the audience members had to use their minds and think about what they saw; they had to use their imaginations to create the setting and events talked about, but not seen. In modern theater, generally, the viewer doesn’t have to use imagination to supply the setting and other aspects of the play because elements of production—lights, scenery, costumes, etc.—tend to be employed.]
- Why do you think so many people attended the theater on festival days? [It was their only form of entertainment.]
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- “All the world’s a stage, / And all the men and women merely players / They have their exits and their entrances / And one man in his time plays many parts, / His acts being seven ages.”
- William Shakespeare
