Post #7 Reading - Discussion - Theater of the People

5 Points

1. Greek plays include both comedy and tragedy, each with distinct purposes. Comedy uses satire to mock politicians, gods, and social norms, while tragedy explored deep moral and existential conflicts.
2. Plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides examined the consequences of moral choices, often presenting life or death situations while emphasizing ethical lessons
3. Aristotle’s Poetics defined tragedy as the imitation of a complete action, emphasizing catharsis, unity of action and time, and moral lessons. He argued that experiencing fear and pity through drama allows the audience to reflect on universal human weaknesses and strengths.
4. The Golden Mean, in Aristotle’s philosophy, is about balance, reflected in both ethical behavior and well-structured art. 
5. Intermezzi were elaborate court shows with music, dance, scenery, and symbolic stories, often used to honor nobles and dazzle audiences. They started as short breaks in plays and later became part of opera.

Discussion Question

The difference between a musical and an opera is that a musical is a theatrical production that combines spoken dialogue, songs, and dance, with the music being used to enhance the story rather than providing the plot. An opera is almost entirely sung, with little or no spoken dialogue. The music tells the story from start to finish using a special vocal technique. Personally, I believe that The Phantom of the Opera, despite its title, is a musical and not an opera. It was written to be performed as a musical on Broadway, using many influences from opera but still including spoken dialogue to move the plot along. It’s a story about an opera, told through the medium of a musical.