Aeschylus: Agamemnon (1983 TV) part 5/10

[zahzuh]

Peter Hall is a Genius!!!

[MackerelCat]

I have noticed that in many of these adaptations the chorus is kwite numerous, would that have been the case in Greece? I was led to understand that the chorus would have been maybe three or so people.

[knowitall23]

Nope, Greek choruses were often 15 males; 7 on each side of the chorus leader.

[reveli]

Greek choruses were composed of 12 citizens of Athens in the City Dionysia Festivals when this play was first performed in the 5th c. BC.

knowitall knows nothing.

[devilmo666]

I believe the chorus was usually made up of 12 people.  I could be wrong though.

[LuckChance289]

Geez, I am really trying to pay attention to this piece of theater that has survived for more than 2000 years. But, my God, it is so unbelievably boring. Get to the point and quit boring your audience. I have the luxury of fast-forwarding (and that is exactly what I did to get to the Cassandra scene and the scene with Clytemnestra after the murder - those scenes are pretty good). But, have some pity for the people that are sitting in the theater. It's probably too hot and they want to leave.

[Ramanujan88]

a different kind of theatre...their words are their action. Imagination is the key here, which lets you be a part of the play just as much...the Greeks would probably be bored with a play filled with action scenes and stuff that in some cases can insult one's intelligence by not letting them be dramatist/playwrights themselves. And as for all this talking, it's the thoughts we all wonder and do - that's part of drama is about. Others play are just as good cause they get to the point though too.

[Cr0spy]

these show were for worship, not entertainment

[abrondarbit]

What else did they have to do back then?

Also they werent all ADD ridden like we are today. Our brains are used to getting info quick. We don't have that king of patience anymore.

[LuckChance289]

@abrondarbit I kind of like that take on it.. I do recognize in myself a definite increase in impatience that I did not have in the 1970's (for example). We live in an information overloaded world. But, I have seen the theaters of the ancient Greeks. Stone slabs with no back rests. I don't care if they did not have much to do, not even the Spartans would sit in that situation for as long as this thing lasted. I guess the classics are something you want to have read, but do not want to read.:)

[ShaNagmaImmuru]

we have turned too soft in this age. to impatient. too demanding. the play is boring in deed,because it loses much of its charm and meaning on the translation. It is hard to follow because it is just a fragment of a greater tale,and if you dont know much of the curse of the house of Atreus,or Homer's Illiad,then you will be lost and bored. Here in Greece,we still have our ancient plays performed in the very same theaters,and it is just magical. The the play is performed properly,it thrills you.

[privategirl1995]

which part is the Cassandra scene?

[iMayonnaise]

the chorus is a major part of greek theatre, so of course they're going to be saying a lot.

[bramber4eva]

i do love Greek tragedy but I wish the chorus would just shut up sometimes!

[MightyAgamemnon]

Shut up...this play is the first we have of tragedy itself.

[Plotinus2112]

While this is a tragedy, it completely goes against the Aristotelian definition of tragedy and therefore Sophocles and later Shakespeare, which is what makes this so interesting as it is a flaw of society and not of the individual that sets the actions in motion.

[EcHeLoN5242]

it's not a flaw of society! the play is merey about male Vs female! and who is better for the glory of the polis! byt the end of the play aeschylus glorifies the patriarchal system and the mightiness of the polis

[bramber4eva]

This isn't actually the first tragedy we have, I think that 'The Persians', 'The Suppliant Maidens' and 'The Seven Against Thebes' are Aeschylus' earlier plays that still survive. Although Agamemnon is definitely the best, his earlier plays were no way near as good.

[PREACHAandTEACHA]

Wow RETARDED!!!