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Science Forum Index » Anthropology Forum » ancient plays
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| Mr. X |
 Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 2:32 pm |
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Guest
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May I ask if someone could confirm or deny
the following (I am not an anthropologist).
One of the purposes of ancient plays was not
simply to entertain, but to establish a common
language by which one expresses oneself.
For example, if one were to kill one's father,
and marry one's mother, one would watch
Oedipus Rex performed, and know that
the proper response would be to pluck out
one's eyes.
Naturally, no one would do that, but the
play and the response of the actors, would
be a proving ground on which a society
would establish a common way to express
one's self, in an attempt for people to
understand one another.
Could someone comment on this?
Tom |
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| Tedd |
| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 3:25 pm |
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"Mr. X" <greenbaboon1@cox.net> wrote in message
news:rDwrb.12851$Zb7.7506@fed1read01...
Quote: May I ask if someone could confirm or deny
the following (I am not an anthropologist).
One of the purposes of ancient plays was not
simply to entertain, but to establish a common
language by which one expresses oneself.
while this is not an anthropological answer, it is a theatre answer:
theatre and theatre festivals grew out of the greek "dithyrambs" or 'religious
choral odes' in the 6th cen. BCE. these were rituals performed to bring good
fortune. by the 5th. cen. BCE, these had turned into region based celebrations
that took place once a year for worship and tribute. the reason we use the greek
theatre as the foundation (or comparison) for modern theatre is because it is
the one for which we have the most complete record both historically and
archaeologically (the more contemporary theatre of today is actually more
founded in the middle ages than in the ancient greeks,... but that is a whole
other topic.)
anthropologically: based upon what we know of ritual and the ancient history of
theatre, the early plays were more than likely linked to ceremonial activities
and ritual than to establish a common language of expression.
hope this answers your question. :-)
tedd. |
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| Mr. X |
| Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 5:19 pm |
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OK...
But you one argue that while the intent of the early
plays were religious or spiritual, the fact is that, in
an indirect sense, the audience "learned" a common
way to respond to the tragedies and comedies of life.
And, in this way, came to respect one another, feel
connected to one another.
Is this not possible at all?
I am pushing, not to be disagreeable, but to gather
some ideas.
tom
"Tedd" <Jacobs@mail.boisestate.edu> wrote in message
news:N3yrb.66$fZ.34676@news.uswest.net...
Quote:
"Mr. X" <greenbaboon1@cox.net> wrote in message
news:rDwrb.12851$Zb7.7506@fed1read01...
May I ask if someone could confirm or deny
the following (I am not an anthropologist).
One of the purposes of ancient plays was not
simply to entertain, but to establish a common
language by which one expresses oneself.
while this is not an anthropological answer, it is a theatre answer:
theatre and theatre festivals grew out of the greek "dithyrambs" or
'religious
choral odes' in the 6th cen. BCE. these were rituals performed to bring
good
fortune. by the 5th. cen. BCE, these had turned into region based
celebrations
that took place once a year for worship and tribute. the reason we use the
greek
theatre as the foundation (or comparison) for modern theatre is because it
is
the one for which we have the most complete record both historically and
archaeologically (the more contemporary theatre of today is actually more
founded in the middle ages than in the ancient greeks,... but that is a
whole
other topic.)
anthropologically: based upon what we know of ritual and the ancient
history of
theatre, the early plays were more than likely linked to ceremonial
activities
and ritual than to establish a common language of expression.
hope this answers your question. :-)
tedd.
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| Tedd |
| Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 7:54 pm |
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Guest
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"Mr. X" <greenbaboon1@cox.net> wrote in message
news:a3zrb.13553$Zb7.7410@fed1read01...
Quote: OK...
But you one argue that while the intent of the early
plays were religious or spiritual, the fact is that, in
an indirect sense, the audience "learned" a common
way to respond to the tragedies and comedies of life.
i think you might be trying to hint at the development of patterns for social
learning(?), in which case you're on to quite a valid arguement for the acting
out an event or sequence of events being a basis upon which to develope a common
patterned response. but it was long before the greek theatre which i think is my
mistake for assuming you were asking in that context.
Quote: And, in this way, came to respect one another, feel
connected to one another.
yes, and this could also be applied in the context of sharring through
cross-cultural relations.
Quote: I am pushing, not to be disagreeable, but to gather
some ideas.
i think i mistook your original question, i was looking at the more
sophistically developed "plays" of the early greeks (mostly because i attached
onto the words "ancient plays" and the 'oedipus rex' example) rather than the
actual concept of the question you were asking. hopefully i was of a little more
help to you this time. good pushing on your part. :-)
if i may, to rephrase your original statement back to you:
One of the purposes of acting out events or series of events may not have been
simply to entertain, but also to establish a common exchange by which one
expresses, shares and defines aceptable social behaviors and norms through the
patterned responses.
HTH, :-)
tedd.
Quote: tom
"Tedd" <Jacobs@mail.boisestate.edu> wrote in message
news:N3yrb.66$fZ.34676@news.uswest.net...
"Mr. X" <greenbaboon1@cox.net> wrote in message
news:rDwrb.12851$Zb7.7506@fed1read01...
May I ask if someone could confirm or deny
the following (I am not an anthropologist).
One of the purposes of ancient plays was not
simply to entertain, but to establish a common
language by which one expresses oneself.
while this is not an anthropological answer, it is a theatre answer:
theatre and theatre festivals grew out of the greek "dithyrambs" or
'religious
choral odes' in the 6th cen. BCE. these were rituals performed to bring
good
fortune. by the 5th. cen. BCE, these had turned into region based
celebrations
that took place once a year for worship and tribute. the reason we use the
greek
theatre as the foundation (or comparison) for modern theatre is because it
is
the one for which we have the most complete record both historically and
archaeologically (the more contemporary theatre of today is actually more
founded in the middle ages than in the ancient greeks,... but that is a
whole
other topic.)
anthropologically: based upon what we know of ritual and the ancient
history of
theatre, the early plays were more than likely linked to ceremonial
activities
and ritual than to establish a common language of expression.
hope this answers your question. :-)
tedd.
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