Ancient Greek Theatre: August 2022

The origin of the use of the Doric dialect in Greek tragedy is a matter of debate. Some scholars believe that it is a remnant of the original form of tragedy, which was developed in the Dorian Peloponnese. Others believe that it was a deliberate choice by the tragic poets, who wanted to create a more emotional and passionate style of drama.

There is some evidence to support both of these theories. The earliest surviving tragedies, such as those of Aeschylus, do use a number of Doric forms, especially in the choral passages. However, the use of Doric gradually declined over time, and by the time of Euripides, the Attic dialect was the norm.

One possible explanation for this is that the Attic dialect was becoming increasingly dominant in Athens, and the tragic poets wanted to appeal to a wider audience. Another possibility is that the Doric dialect was becoming associated with a more archaic and traditional style of drama, and the tragic poets wanted to create something that was more modern and innovative.

Ultimately, the reason why the Doric dialect was used in Greek tragedy is a mystery. However, it is clear that it played an important role in the development of this genre, and it continues to be a fascinating topic of study for scholars today.

Here are some additional points to consider:

The Doric dialect was spoken in many parts of Greece, including the Peloponnese, Crete, and Sicily. It was also the dialect of Sparta, which was a major cultural and political centre in ancient Greece.
The Doric dialect was known for its strong rhythms and its use of assonance and alliteration. These features may have appealed to the tragic poets, who wanted to create a sense of excitement and drama in their plays.
The Doric dialect was also associated with the worship of Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry. This may have been another reason why the tragic poets chose to use it, as Dionysus was also the patron god of tragedy.

Whatever the reason, the use of the Doric dialect in Greek tragedy is a distinctive feature of this genre. It helps to create a sense of time and place, and it also contributes to the emotional and passionate tone of the plays.

Monday, 22 August 2022

Ancient Greek Language

References

Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek language and linguistics

A companion to the Ancient Greek languageEJ Bakker - 2010 - books.google.comhttps://books.google.me/books?id=GQJ2AQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover

Etymological Dictionary of Greek by Robert Beekes - Internet ArchiveThe Cambridge Greek Lexicon Volume 1 - Google BooksThe Cambridge Greek Lexicon Volume 2 - Google BooksA Homeric Dictionary for Schools and Colleges: G. Autenrieth - Internet ArchiveTLG - HomeTLG - Abridged

Language and History in Ancient Greek Culture

A companion to the Ancient Greek language
EJ Bakker - 2010 - books.google.com
https://books.google.me/books?id=GQJ2AQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover

Etymological Dictionary of Greek by Robert Beekes - Internet Archive

The Cambridge Greek Lexicon Volume 1 - Google Books
The Cambridge Greek Lexicon Volume 2 - Google Books

A Homeric Dictionary for Schools and Colleges: G. Autenrieth - Internet Archive

TLG - Home

TLG - Abridged