In ten pages this paper examines the theater's history from its origins and with an emphasis upon Sophocles' Oedipus the King. Eight sources are cited in the bibliography.
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fact, a very popular playwright of that time and an analysis of this play is very revealing in terms of how much theater has changed over the years. Furthermore,
this analysis will help to show the similarities between the theatrical productions of the ancient Greeks and modern theatrical productions. Greek Drama
"The word theater is a Greek word which means to view" (Greek Theater). "Drama began in Greece around the middle of the sixth century (500s) B. C. as religious celebrations
in rural areas of the country" (Greek Drama). At first, only dancing and singing were involved (Greek Drama). One of the first theatrical productions centered around an annual
festival in Athens, Greece around 500 B.C. Athens had established a festival which included the traditional rural expressions but they added signing groups and choruses which were gathered and
could compete for prizes (Greek Drama). The man responsible for adding the actors to the singing and dancing productions was,
as legend has it, Thespis, hence the word thespian which originates from his name (Ancient Theater: 2500 Years and Going Strong). The theatre was named the Theater of Dionysus
and it was here, thanks to Thespis, that "masked actors performed outdoors, in daylight, before audiences of 10,000 or more at festivals in honor of Dionysus, the god of theater"
(Ancient Theater: 2500 Years and Going Strong). At later festivals, actors were added and soon after these actors wore masks
and played various parts (Greek Drama). Hence, the birth of the theatre (Greek Drama). As time went on and the popularity of this festival grew, a huge