Classical Greek Theatre Notes
Contents
Welcome! .................................................................................................................................................... 2
How to answer the questions .................................................................................................................................. 3
Key Words .................................................................................................................................................. 6
General Drama Modern Scholarship........................................................................................................................ 8
1.1- Drama and Theatre in Ancient Athenian Society .................................................................................................. 10
1.2- The Nature of Tragedy .............................................................................................................................. 18
1.3- The Nature of Old Comedy ......................................................................................................................... 25
1.4- Literary Techniques, Structure of the Plays, Dramatic Conventions ............................................................................. 31
1.5- Social, Political, and Religious Themes in Tragedy ................................................................................................. 34
1.6- Social and Political Themes in Comedy ............................................................................................................. 39
Oedipus Quotes ............................................................................................................................................. 44
Oedipus Modern Scholarship .............................................................................................................................. 52
Bacchae Quotes ............................................................................................................................................ 55
Bacchae Modern Scholarship .............................................................................................................................. 66
Frogs Structure ............................................................................................................................................. 68
Frogs Quotes................................................................................................................................................ 69
Frogs Modern Scholarship ................................................................................................................................. 86
Quick Essay Plans......................................................................................................................................... 89
, Welcome!
Welcome to my notes! These were used when I was completing the Greek Theatre module of
my A-Level in Classical Civilization for the OCR exam board. There may be a few spelling
errors, but as far as I know everything is as it should be.
Before we start, here are some additional things I found useful for you:
1. The link to the 2019 examiners report
(https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/622774-examiners-report-greek-theatre.pdf)
2. The link to marked pieces of work from 2019
(https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/630531-greek-theatre.pdf)
3, The quizlet I made/used alongside these notes
(https://quizlet.com/fleurcasson/folders/classical-civilisation-greek-theatre/sets)
I hope you find everything in here useful and get the grades you want!
, How to answer the questions
Visual 10 Marker
You’ll get 1 of these in the exam, and you could be asked a 20-marker based from it.
AO1: Shows very good knowledge and understanding of the provided source/ideas through a range of
well selected, accurate and precise material from it.
AO2: Fully and consistently engages with the question, with perceptive, critical analysis and
interpretation of the provided source leading to convincing points which are well-supported and
developed.
5 marks for selecting relevant quotes, and 5 for interpretation/analysis/evaluation of it. Make 5 points.
You could be asked to evaluate how useful a source is as a source of information about a certain
aspect of theatre. This means you need to think about how far the source can give accurate
information. You need to discuss how it is and isn’t helpful and using the format of ‘it’s helpful
because it shows x’ but this is limited because it’s a static image’ or something like that.
Add a small conclusion on how useful it is overall.
Literary 10 Marker
You’ll get 1 of these in the exam, and you’ll bring this together with the other source.
AO1: Shows very good knowledge and understanding of the provided source/ideas through a range of
well selected, accurate and precise material from it.
AO2: Fully and consistently engages with the question, with perceptive, critical analysis and
interpretation of the provided source leading to convincing points which are well-supported and
developed.
5 marks for selecting relevant quotes, and 5 for interpretation/analysis/evaluation of it. Make 5 points.
You will be asked to explain how an effect is created, which means you need to write how the
examples you choose creates that effect. These points should be from multiples places in the passage
and clearly different from each other. Always use quotes from the passage as support.
20 Markers
AO1: very detailed knowledge and a thorough understanding of the material studied, use of a range of
well selected, accurate and precise material from classical sources and appropriate, effective use of
their cultural context and possible interpretation.
AO2: The response is logically structured, with a well-developed, sustained and coherent line of
reasoning. A very good response to the question containing a wide range of relevant points leading to
convincing conclusions points are very well supported by perceptive critical analysis, interpretation
and evaluation of classical sources.
Here you’ll be asked to bring together the 2 sources and demonstrate your wider knowledge of Greek
Theatre. Question based on a specific topic, usually asking you to weigh up 2 different opinions. You
can bring in evidence from your other visual sources and the 3 plays you studies. This is also a great
opportunity to bring in classical vs modern audiences.
Small introduction giving a brief overview of what side of the fence you’ll land. PPEA (point,
evidence, explain, alternative/counterpoint). Concise conclusion. Use specific evidence.
, 30 Marker-
AO1: very detailed knowledge and a thorough understanding of the material studied, use of a range of
well selected, accurate and precise material from classical sources and appropriate, effective use of
their cultural context and possible interpretation
AO2: The response is logically structured, with a well-developed, sustained and coherent line of
reasoning. A very good response to the question containing a wide range of relevant points leading to
convincing conclusions, points are very well supported by critical perceptive analysis, interpretation
and evaluation of classical sources and secondary sources, scholars and/or academic works
This means you’ll have more evaluation than evidence, so try and present the best argument you can
whilst using evidence to back it up. Don’t narrate the play, but instead use it to drive your answer to
the question.
If you’re asked what the main purpose or the most important aspect of the play is x, evaluate multiple
answers. For example, if it’s about the question of who killed Laius being most important to Oedipus,
talk about the gods, or the role of Oedipus in his own fate. READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY.
You’ll be marked on the variety of point you make, so differentiate them! Use literary, historical, and
archaeological points if it makes sense to.
For this question, you also need to show an understanding of secondary sources, scholars and
academic works. Use what scholars said. If you use exact words, you get brownie points, but you
don’t need them. Try to pit 2 scholars against each other and use it to enlighten your own viewpoint.
Have a small introduction to outline key issues and perhaps the view you’re going to take. Clear up
any ambiguity here. For conclusion summarise key point you made and conclude your overall
opinion.
Timings
Exam starts at 1:30, and you have 1 hour and 45 minutes. It ends at 3:15
NOTE: This was just for the 2023 exams. Check when your exam starts and adjust
accordingly.
Little questions: 5 minutes
Time Allowed: 5 minutes.
Move on by 1:35
10 Marker
Time Allowed: 15 minutes.
Move on by 1:50
10 Marker
Time Allowed: 15 minutes.
Move on by 2:05.
20 Marker
Time Allowed: 25 minutes
Move on by 2:35
