CULTURAL CONTEXT

There were four main performance conventions in Sophocles' time:

1. Verse
2. The chorus
3. Acting and masks
4. Stage, devices, levels of acting area

Source: http://englishesf.wikispaces.com/Conventions+of+Greek+Theatre

Verse

All Greek dramas are poetic dramas. The characters speak in verse, either through dialogue or choral song. Iambics were used in a lot in the character's dialogue. 

Iambic - a metrical foot consisting of two syllables, a short one followed by a long one.

An example of Iambic Pentameter:
Shakespeare's 'Richard III' (Act 1, Scene 1)

Now is the Winter of our discontent
Made glorious Summer by this Sun of York;
And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house
In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.

Choral passages were sung and accompanied by dance. Dancing along with dialogue was very common in Greek Theatre because the Theatre was built around a dance floor. 

Chorus

The chorus wore masks

Every tragedy has a chorus, they sing and dance between episodes. In a tragedy, this will usually sing a light-hearted song after an emotional episode, to lift everyone's spirits a little before continuing with the play. 




Acting and masks

Examples of masks in Greek plays

Masks were a constant feature in Greek plays. Masks meant that detailed facial expressions couldn't be seen, but if you had the mask off anyway, the audience were so far away that they wouldn't have been able to see it. So the mask helps give a bold picture of what the character is thinking/feeling by the clear face on the mask, and by a bold body movement. 






Stages, devices, levels of acting area

Illustration of  the flying machine

Plays were always performed outside in the daytime, so if actors wanted to represent the night-time, they had to light a couple of torches. There was moveable painted scenery to change the scene. A machine was also invented to lift the 'Gods' onto the top at the end of a performance. 

     







Along with masks, costume was very important in Greek Theatre. A general look would consist of a full-length/short tunic, a cloak and soft leather boots. Tragic actors were heavily disguised and this had a religious purpose. The actor was to give up his identity in order to let another speak and act through him. Costumes were usually an elaborate version of their everyday clothes: robe, overgarment, short cloak, short lace-up boots, another overgarment and a cloak.