Theatre & Ethics: Greek Comedy & Tragedy

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the nature of theatre as it relates to the concepts of comedy and tragedy, particularly in the context of Classical Greek theatre. Participants explore whether these two genres encompass the entirety of human experience in theatre or if other modes exist. The conversation touches on the relevance of these themes in contemporary theatre as well.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether comedy and tragedy are the only essential modes of human life represented in theatre, suggesting that other forms may exist.
  • One participant proposes that Classical theatre includes various life stages and themes, such as mortality, which could imply a broader representation beyond just comedy and tragedy.
  • A participant reflects on a personal experience with a professor who intended to teach Galois theory but ended up discussing the life of Évariste Galois, drawing a parallel to the unpredictability of life and its comedic or tragic elements.
  • Another participant asserts that modern theatre accommodates a wide range of themes and reflects contemporary issues, indicating that it has evolved beyond the Classical dichotomy.
  • One participant seeks clarification on whether the term 'ethics' was intended to be 'ethos' in relation to theatre, suggesting a focus on character and moral aspects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the sufficiency of comedy and tragedy as the primary modes of theatre, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions may depend on interpretations of terms like 'modes of human life' and 'ethos,' which could influence the understanding of the topic. Additionally, references to personal experiences and specific courses may introduce subjective elements that are not universally applicable.

Gear300
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Not sure if this is the best way to ask, but the Classical Greeks put theatre and life between comedy and tragedy. Does theatre accommodate other modes of human life?, or are those two the 'essential two'? (This was an essay question I had no answer to.)
 
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Gear300 said:
Not sure if this is the best way to ask, but the Classical Greeks put theatre and life between comedy and tragedy. Does theatre accommodate other modes of human life?, or are those two the 'essential two'? (This was an essay question I had no answer to.)
Not sure I understand your post. Does 'modes of human life' refer to life stages? Classical theater includes youth, adulthood, old age and afterlife; i.e., ghosts. The peripetia invariably revolves around human mortality. Death may strike at any stage of life but becomes certain in old age.
 
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Not sure I know either. I once had a professor who had it in his every intention to teach Galois theory in our group algebra course. We covered finite group algebras and a bit of polynomial fields, but then he got caught in divorce at the end of the semester and there wasn't much after. Although he did manage to give us an introduction to Évariste Galois' biography, and told us that if he had managed to survive his duel, then his life would have been a comedy thereafter. And that was all we took from him. (Useless algebra 😤)
 
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@Gear300, Did you mean ethos rather than ethics? This seems more relevant to theater.
 
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Gear300 said:
Not sure if this is the best way to ask, but the Classical Greeks put theatre and life between comedy and tragedy. Does theatre accommodate other modes of human life?, or are those two the 'essential two'? (This was an essay question I had no answer to.)
Theatre accommodates everything today. Plays and musicals are an art form.
Shakespeare did comedy, tragedy and history.
400 years later? Pretty much everything, theatre reflects what is going on in the world and musicals also do that.
For me? Art has to beautiful and entertaining.
If I have to read a book on Kant or Chomsky before I go to the play I am not interested.
 
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Gear300 said:
(This was an essay question I had no answer to.)
First question that comes to mind is, what course contained this essay question?
 

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