How Did Greek Theatre Influence Shakespeare?

Greek Theatre|Theater

Greek theatre has had a profound influence on modern theatre, especially the work of William Shakespeare. Greek plays were among the most popular theatrical performances in England during the Elizabethan era, and their influence can be seen in many aspects of Shakespeare’s works.

The structure of Greek plays was based around several key elements, including a chorus, masks, and a three-part division into prologue, parodos, and exodus. This structure is mirrored in many of Shakespeare’s plays, such as Romeo and Juliet, which follows this same pattern.

In addition to the structural elements, there were also certain conventions that were common to Greek theatre that can be seen in Shakespeare’s works. These conventions include the use of stock characters such as clowns and servants, as well as certain types of dialogue such as soliloquies and asides.

Greek plays also featured certain narrative techniques that are seen in Shakespeare’s works. For example, Aristotle’s idea of “catharsis,” or the purging of emotions through tragedy or comedy, is a concept that can be seen throughout many of Shakespeare’s tragedies. The use of language also has clear influences from Greek theatre; for example, many scenes from Macbeth are written in iambic pentameter – an English poetic form based on ancient Greek poetry.

Greek theatre also had a significant impact on how theatrical performances were presented to audiences. For example, it was common for actors to wear masks when performing their roles – a practice which has been adopted by modern theatres across the world. In addition to masks, audience members would often participate directly in the performance by providing commentary or even engaging with characters onstage – something which can be seen in some of Shakespeare’s comedies.

Conclusion:

It is clear that Greek theatre had a major influence on William Shakespeare’s works. From narrative techniques to structural elements and conventions to staging practices – all these aspects can be traced back to Greek theatre traditions. Even today there are still many notable similarities between ancient Greek drama and modern adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays.