THE ORIGIN OF GREEK DRAMA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10628, 5 June 1897, Page 6

THE ORIGIN OF GREEK DRAMA.

It is now regarded beyond question that Grecian drama arose from the rites and ceremonies attendant at the worship at Dion vsus— the wine god. Dionyaus, as the Greeks knew him, was as Baoohus to the Romans. In mythology he was the son of Zeus and Semele. When he reached manhood, ho Invented the preparation of nine from grapes, and taught the planting of the vine. To spread the knowledge of hia disoovery, ho travelled over nearly all tbe knowa world, drawn in his chariot by lions, amid great pomp and splendour. He is usually represented in the graoeful form of a maiden rather than that of a young man. The feasts conseorated to him were termed Bacohanalia, Dionysia, or as a whole Orgia. These were marked by rioting, feasting, and drinking, and the people gave themselves up to great licentiousness, Games were oelebrated, and there were exhibitions of skill, together with Bongs and dances. Tbe latter, as time went on, gradually developed, gaining great favour with the people, until at length tlio true phase of Grecian drama blossomed forth. | It was Arion, a famous lyrio poet and musioian, who flourished about 600 B o. who first made the attempt to train a body of men to danoe in an orderly fashion, around the altar of Dionysus. Hitherto the dances had b p ea without any sot form, and consisted only of un- { graceful movements regulated by some | rythmical measure. Arion also trained j a chorus to sing a dithyramblo ode. The leader took what might be the verse, and the others picked np the chorus. This was the forerunner of real drama. A century later, Thespis, an A-ttlo poet, introduced an aotor, who conversed with the rest of the ohorus, t»nd who, by the manipulation of different disguises, represented a series of different oharao ters, These performances, it is Bald, , wor.i given on a waggon, with which the company travelled to different towns. Thespis is generally called the Inventor of tragedy ; but he might also be said to be the player who first organized a travelling company. His entertainments became very popular. In Athens the people built a wooden structure, so that his plays might be publicly per. formed. This might aptly be oalled the first theatre. Therein, subsequently, dramatists were awarded prizes for the best pieces. j After Thespis is mentioned Ohcorllus, the author of 150 tragedies, of which thirteen won prizes, and following quietly we find Phyrniohn.9 and Pratinas, The latter was a formidable rival or Ghoorilus, and Indeed of .^lsohylns. But if^ohylus WE3 the flrst to intrq: duce a second actor, and this enhanoed his popularity. Sophocles introduced a third, and it Is asserted that it is either he or JEschylus who first introduced on the stage suitable dresses and surroundings. Sophocles wrote 130undiEsohylu8 90 tragedies ; but seven of each only now remain. Sophocleß* work waa acknowledged to be superior to that of iftjohylns, but both writers in a short time ware surpassed by Euripides. The latter in his plays increased the number of characters; For example, his ' Alcastia ' admits of nine performers and a chorus. From this time drama is found firmly established Id Greece. Gradually adopted and improved by other oountries, It Is now found ranking in every land as a fine art.