To Convey Knowledge (how we understand / think about the world) To Teach (Didactic) → greek: to teach, playwright oboth of these two are about intention To Influence or Control Events (rain, crops, battles, fertility) To Glorify (A god, a person, an event) To Entertain & Give Pleasure Constant debate about which function holds the greatest value culturally. What makes rituals unique?- They are specific to a particular culture, they vary from culture to culture. 508 B.C.E- First democracy founded by Greece (slaves and women could not vote, only land-owning males) 534 B.C.E.- First play occurred in Greece. -Presented as a part of the Festival of Dionysus Thespis- First playwright. He performed the roles of all his characters Cult of Dionysus- Festivals in celebration of Dionysus (God of wine, pleasure, theatre, chaos, disorder) Mimesis—Functions of representation- Mimesis = to mimic, Art mimics nature, imitation of an action. to better the species so that we don’t die out. Hamartia-fatal flaw that leads to eventual downfall of tragic hero Thymele- altar in the middle of stage where animals were sacrificed Hubris- Tragic flaw of excessive (perhaps undue) pride, seen in Oedipus, Fences Anagnorisis- Recognition of fatal flaw → changing → becoming a better citizen Peripeteia- Reversal of fortune Why do humans make art?- humans make art because time is fleeting and we want to preserve memories. part of the beauty and tragedy of life is loss. art teaches us and it is manipulative. · communicate w/ other people · time (and beauty) are fleeting oBeauty is fleeting and tragedy is lostart tries to capture and preserve it.
