Eccyclema is a term used in Greek theatre to refer to the practice of revealing characters in the play. It is derived from the Greek word “eccyclos”, which means “to roll out”. This technique was first used in Athenian tragedy and it was often used to bring surprise and suspense to a scene.
The use of an eccyclema dates back to the time of Aeschylus, one of the earliest tragedians, who wrote plays such as Seven Against Thebes and Agamemnon. He would use this technique to reveal hidden characters that were not yet onstage or had previously been unseen.
For example, in Agamemnon, Clytemnestra was revealed at the very end of the play by having her enter from underneath the stage on a wheeled platform. This gave her entrance great impact and highlighted her importance within the story.
Eccyclema allowed for unexpected plot points or character revelations, adding an element of surprise for audiences watching a play in ancient Greece. It also provided a physical representation for what was happening within the story itself – for example, when Oedipus enters his palace after learning he had killed his father and married his mother, a platform rolls out with him standing atop it as if he were being carried into exile by fate itself.
The practice of eccyclema has evolved over time and is still seen today in various forms of theatre, although it is now done more subtly than it was during its heyday in Ancient Greece. In modern theatre productions such as musicals or operas, eccyclema can be seen through set pieces that move on-stage and off-stage or through elaborate choreography that reveals something important about a character or plot point that wasn’t previously known.
In conclusion, eccyclema is an important part of Greek theatre that has been influential throughout history and still seen today in various forms of performance art. It gives productions an element of surprise by revealing characters at strategic moments in order to drive home an emotional point or highlight an important plot point.
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