What Is Another Word for Actor in Greek Theatre?

Greek Theatre|Theater

The Greek theatre was a form of entertainment in Ancient Greece dating back to the 6th century BC. During this time, actors would perform in large open-air amphitheaters, such as the famous Theatre of Dionysus in Athens. These actors were responsible for bringing the stories and characters of Greek mythology to life through their performances.

The term used for actor in the context of Greek theatre is hypokrites, derived from the Ancient Greek verb ‘hypokrinesthai’. Hypokrites translates literally as ‘answerer’ – an apt description for an actor who must answer to the audience’s expectations and bring a script to life.

The hypokrites were usually male, as women were not allowed to perform in public during this period. They often wore masks or costumes to portray different characters, and used physical gestures and spoken word to convey emotion and plot points. In addition, they also employed techniques such as use of props, music and sound effects, as well as improvisation to enhance their performance.

The role of the hypokrites was crucial to the success of a performance; without them there would be no story or characters to follow! As such, they often received accolades from audiences at the end of each show.

In modern times, the term hypokrites is still used in reference to actors performing on stage, though it has become less common due to its association with Ancient Greek theatre. However it is still used by academics and theatre historians when referring specifically to performers from this era.

Conclusion:
The term hypokrites is another word for actor in Greek theatre which has been derived from Ancient Greek verb ‘hypokrinesthai’. This term is still used today by academics and theatre historians when referring specifically to performers from this era.