GED117-Week 1 (1 of 2)

Summary

Professor Willna Bantai explores the origins and development of Greek tragedy, its etymology, and its religious roots. Tragedy's connection to communal celebrations and rituals, the introduction of the speaker and chorus, and the evolution of the dramatic form are discussed. Aeschylus is highlighted for his contributions, particularly in questioning traditional myths and the nature of human suffering, which he presents as a source of knowledge and growth for the tragic hero. The moral impact of Greek tragedies on education and humanity is emphasized.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The origins of tragedy and its development have been studied by various scholars, but the etymology of 'tragedy' remains conjectural, possibly deriving from 'tragoidia', meaning 'goat song' in Greek.
• 🏆 The term 'tragedy' might have referred to a goat prize for winning dramatists, the costume of performers, or a ritual sacrifice, indicating the genre's deep roots in community celebrations and rituals.
• 💃 The dance was likely the initial and principal element of these early performances, with the speaker introduced later, possibly as an extension of the priest's role.
• 🗣️ Aeschylus is often credited with adding a second speaker to the drama, thus inventing the form of tragedy, although it's unlikely that such a sophisticated form was developed by a single artist.
• 📚 Many early tragedies have been lost, with only seven of Aeschylus's 90 plays surviving, highlighting the importance of preservation in the history of drama.
• 🎭 Dionysus, the god of vegetation and fertility, was central to Athenian drama, with plays held annually during the feasts in his honor, suggesting a connection between tragedy and fertility rituals.
• 🌾 It's been conjectured that tragedy originated from fertility feasts to commemorate harvest, vintage, and the themes of death and renewal of life.
• 🤔 Greek tragedies often raise profound questions about human existence, suffering, morality, and the nature of justice, challenging traditional narratives and beliefs.
• 🔒 Aeschylus, in his works like the Oresteia and Prometheus Bound, persistently questions the justice and morality of actions dictated by the gods, contrasting with the Homeric stories where such actions were taken for granted.
• 📚 Aeschylus and other tragedians were pioneers in critically and creatively treating absolutes in sustained dramatic form, elevating the genre to explore human experience.
• 📘 Aeschylus's Prometheus has been compared to the Book of Job in the Bible for its structure and focus on the problem of suffering at the hands of a seemingly unjust god.
• 🌟 Aeschylus emphasized the capacity to learn through suffering, suggesting that the tragic hero not only endures but also gains wisdom, which is a key characteristic of Greek tragic heroes.
• 🌱 The moral force of Aeschylus's plays had a significant impact on Greek education and the concept of humanity, influencing how the Greeks learned to be 'good Greeks' and contributed to a broader understanding of humanity.

Q & A

Who is Professor Willna Bantai and what does she specialize in?

Professor Willna Bantai is a specialist in the Department of Arts and Letters, with a focus on the origins and development of tragedy in various cultures and ages.

What is the most generally accepted etymology of the word 'tragedy'?

The most generally accepted etymology of the word 'tragedy' is from the Greek 'tragoidia', meaning 'goat song', derived from 'tragus' (goat) and 'oiden' or 'to sing'.

What could the term 'tragedy' have referred to in its early form?

The term 'tragedy' could have referred to the prize goat awarded to winning dramatists, the golden skins worn by performers, or the goat sacrificed in rituals from which tragedy developed.

What role did the speaker play in the early rituals that led to the development of tragedy?

In the early rituals, the speaker was likely introduced as an extension of the priest's role and established a relationship with the dancers, who later became the chorus in Athenian drama.

Who is credited with adding a second speaker to the tragedy form and why is this significant?

Aeschylus is credited with adding a second speaker to the tragedy form, which is significant as it introduced dialogue and expanded the dramatic possibilities of the genre.

How many of Aeschylus' plays have survived out of the 90 attributed to him?

Only seven of the 90 plays attributed to Aeschylus have survived.

What were the Dionysia and why were they significant in the development of tragedy?

The Dionysia were annual festivals in Athens dedicated to Dionysus, the god of vegetation and divine merrymaking. They were significant in the development of tragedy as they provided a cultural context for the performance of plays, which were believed to be sacred to Dionysus.

What are the two elements of tragedy that have never been entirely lost?

The two elements of tragedy that have never been entirely lost are high seriousness, which is fitting for matters of survival, and its development in the context of the entire community in matters of ultimate and common concern.

What questions did the Greeks develop in the tragic form?

The Greeks developed questions about human existence, such as why humans must suffer, why they are torn between good and evil, freedom and necessity, truth and deceit, and where the causes of suffering lie.

What is the significance of the trilogy 'Oresteia' by Aeschylus?

The 'Oresteia' is significant as it raises questions about justice, the nature of suffering, and the moral dilemmas faced by characters like Orestes and Prometheus, challenging traditional narratives and prompting a deeper exploration of human experience.

How did Aeschylus and his fellow tragedians treat the absolutes of ancient myths?

Aeschylus and his fellow tragedians treated the absolutes of ancient myths critically and creatively, transforming them into a sustained dramatic form that questioned and explored the human condition.

What is the moral message conveyed by Aeschylus in his tragedies?

Aeschylus conveys the moral message that suffering can be a source of knowledge and that through it, one can learn and grow in understanding of oneself, others, and the conditions of existence.

What impact did Aeschylus and his tragedies have on Greek education and the notion of humanity?

Aeschylus and his tragedies had a profound impact on Greek education, shaping the Greek notion of education and contributing to a broader understanding and enlargement of humanity.