Greek theatre has been around since the 5th century BC and is still considered to be one of the cornerstones of modern theatre. The Greeks were some of the first to use performance as a form of storytelling and entertainment, and even today, their influence can be seen in modern theatre. While there are many differences between Greek theatre and modern theatre, there are also many similarities that cannot be ignored.
Structure – One of the most obvious similarities between Greek and modern theatre is the structure. Both use three main elements: a stage, an audience, and a storyteller/actor.
The structure of both forms is also very similar, with each having its own unique characteristics. In Greek theatre, for example, the actors were typically divided into a chorus and a protagonist who acted out the story. This structure can still be seen today in musicals or operas where the chorus acts as a collective voice for the audience while the protagonist drives the narrative forward.
Themes – Another similarity between Greek and modern theatre is that they both tackle similar themes. Both explore topics like love, tragedy, politics, family dynamics, justice/injustice, and morality among others. Even though they might approach these topics differently (i.e., Greek tragedies often have an underlying moral lesson while modern plays might take more abstract approaches), they all have something to say about human nature and experience.
Performances – Lastly, both forms rely heavily on performances by actors to bring their stories to life. In Greek theatre, performers had to learn how to move their bodies in specific ways in order to portray emotion or action without using words (since only one actor could speak at any given time). This same skill is still important today as actors must learn how to use their bodies effectively when performing on stage or screen.
Conclusion: From its structure to its themes and performances, there are many similarities between Greek theatre and modern theatre that cannot be ignored. While there are obviously differences between them as well (e.g., language usage), it’s clear that we owe much of our current theatrical tradition to the Greeks who pioneered this art form centuries ago.