The contexts of Greek Drama: from its insertion in the polis to the philosophical theories

The aim of this project is to accurately describe and to interconnect several hitherto poorly studied aspects of the evolution of Greek theater and its reception in the 5th and 4th centuries. These are phenomena that are often studied in disparate contexts, intermittently, and the results of such scattered investigations are usually not integrated into a synthesis that would allow a real historical contextualization of the study.

 

1. The insertion of drama in the polis:

1.1 The insertion of Greek drama in an institutional continuum in which the strictly ritual is integrated with the social and political, also in connection with theatrical innovations.

1.2 The construction of the image of the theatrical author (in conjunction with other intellectual figures, such as the philosopher). Our first material will be a number of anecdotes that suggest the existence of families of dramatists, as well as of dramatic trilogies posthumously staged by the descendants of the poet.

 

2. Theory and philosophy

2.1 The birth of theoretical reflection on poetry, and most notably on the theatre, in the 4th century. This reflection, partially focused on some very complex notions, like mimesis, eikos, anankaion, is very different from the criteria (mostly ethical and civic) of the previous period. 2.2 The recreation and perpetuation of several theatrical and paratheatrical resources in later genres, such as dialogue and novel.

 

We will throw new light on these phenomena if we put them in meaningful relationship with each other, and, especially, if we take into account the rapid transformation of the social, political, religious and ideological conditions between the 5th century BC and successive times.

 

Investigador Principal: Jaume Pòrtulas

Membres: Maite Clavo, Xavier Riu, Montserrat Reig, Montserrat Nogueras, Joan Silva, Sergi Grau, Joan-Josep Mussarra, Àngel Martín