answersLogoWhite

0

There are many important differences between Greek tragedy and Shakespearean tragedy.

Greek tragedy was performed as part of a religious festival (like a church Christmas play) - so the stories were already known to the audience, and everyone knew what was going to happen next.

Elizabethan theatre was commercial entertainment (people paid for their seats - like in a cinema). The stories were usually new, and an element of suspense was nearly always present.

Greek actors wore elaborate costumes, and parts of the dialogue was sung (parts were even danced). Murders, fights and battles had to take place off-stage (a character would tell the audience what was happening) - as usually happens in opera or a Ballet.

Elizabethan actors wore ordinary clothes (though they might be 'in period' for a historical play). They could scuffle, fight - even 'die' - onstage. (Shakespeare has Tybalt die onstage in Romeo and Juliet, to good effect).

Because Greek drama was semi-offical, Greek playwrights tended to be highly respected public servants. Most Greek plays take a broadly politically conservative stance (though the best plays can be quite subtle in the points they make).

Elizabethan players were seen as anti-establishment (they were called 'masterless men'). Many Elizabethan plays are critical of official government positions - though there was rigorous state censorship to make sure they never went too far.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is one difference between the heroes of the Elizabethan tragedies and those of Greek tragedies?

The Greek heroes in Elizabethan tragedies were from the historical era. In the Greek tragedies they were from the pre-historical era.


What is one of the questions explored by athenian greek tragedy?

ventagraph


In Greek tragedy hamartia refers to?

In Greek tragedy, hamartia refers to the protagonist's biggest flaw. It is the one sin or error that is in the main character or hero's personality that leads to their own downfall.


According to Aristotle in the arc of greek tragedy one effect of hamartia was to transform?

happiness into suffering.


What is one of the more significant questions explored by Greek tragedy?

What role do I play in my own suffering


In an essay do you underline a Greek Tragedy?

In an essay, you generally underline the name of a Greek tragedy when it is on paper. When typed, you can use quotation marks, underlines or italics, but only choose one of them. This also depends on what your style guide requires.


What is a reversal in Greek Tragedy?

Reversal in tragedies: a change from one state of affairs within the play to its opposite.


What is the one of the more significant questions explored Athenian Greek Tragedy?

What role do I play in my own suffering


What is one the more significant questions explored by athenian greek tragedy?

What role do I play in my own suffering


What is one difference between the hero's of Elizabethan tragedies and those of Greek tragedies?

Type your answerC.Elizabethan heroes were not always of noble birth.here...


What is one difference between the hero's of Elizabethan tragedys and those of greek tragedys?

Type your answerC.Elizabethan heroes were not always of noble birth.here...


What is the Greek root word of thespian?

The Greek root word of "thespian" is Thespis, an ancient Greek poet who is believed to have created Greek tragedy.