Western Classical Plays and Operas Quiz

Study Notes

Western classical plays originated in 5th century B.C.E. Greece, emerging from Dionysian rituals in amphitheaters.
Greek drama has two main forms: Tragedy and Comedy.
Tragedy depicts the protagonist's fall, often inspired by mythology, with violent acts not shown on stage and death indicated by offstage sounds.
Aristotle defined key elements of Greek drama:
- Hubris: The protagonist's arrogance leading to defiance of gods or morals, causing tragedy.
- Hamartia: The protagonist's misjudgment leading to their downfall.
- Anagnorisis: The climax where the protagonist realizes their misjudgment.
- Peripeteia: The protagonist's downfall.
- Catharsis: The audience's emotional purification, feeling pity and fear.

Comedy aims to amuse by ridiculing characters, customs, and institutions.
Originating from fertility rites, it uses farce, fantasy, parody, and satyr, ending with a lyrical celebration of unity.
A comedic drama follows a structured format:
- Parodos: The chorus of 24 performers sings and dances, wearing costumes representing various characters.
- Agon: A debate between main characters with outlandish plot elements and fast-changing, possibly improvised, scenes.
- Parabasis: The chorus speaks for the poet, delivering a message to the audience.
- Exodos: The finale, typically performed with another song and dance routine.

Theatrical art flourished during the Renaissance, particularly in England.
Famous playwrights emerged, including William Shakespeare, considered one of the greatest of all time.

History Play: Depicts the lives of English kings, with examples including Richard III and Henry V.
Tragedy: Focuses on state affairs, social corruption, life and death, free will and fate, violent revenge, and redemption.
Examples of tragedies include Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Othello.
Comedy: Features plots with happy endings, with examples including Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, and The Tempest.
City comedy, a subgenre, is set in London, making it familiar to audiences.

Opera originated in Florence, Italy, mirroring Greek drama by combining text (libretto) and musical score.
Operas heavily rely on sound, with lead singers performing arias accompanied by instruments and backed by a chorus.
Georges Bizet's French opera Carmen, based on Prosper Marimee's novel, debuted in Paris in 1875.
Carmen, a gypsy involved in a tragic love triangle, stirred controversy but became immensely popular.
Its iconic arias, the Habanera and the Toreador Song, cement its place as one of the most performed operas today.