Structure of Greek Plays

Tragedy has a characteristic structure in which scenes of dialogue alternate with choral songs. This arrangement allows the chorus to comment in its song in a general way on what has been said and/or done in the preceding scene. Most tragedies begin with an opening scene of expository dialogue or monologue called a prologue.

After the prologue the chorus marches into the orchestra chanting the parodos. Then follows a scene of dialogue called an episode, which in turn is followed by the first stasimon. The alternation of episode and stasimon continues until the last stasimon, after which there is a final scene of dialogue called an exodos 'exit' scene'. The exodos is in general a scene of dialogue, but, as in the case of episodes, sometimes songs are included, especially in the form of a kommos.

Here is the structure of a typical tragedy (some tragedies have one more or one less episode and stasimon):

Prologue
Parodos
First Episode
First Stasimon
Second Episode
Second Stasimon
Third Episode
Third Stasimon
Fourth Episode
Fourth Stasimon
Exodos

(from the Classics Technology Center, first link above)

Reading Greek tragedy: background and play structure

timeline, origins, an structure of Greek theater from Reed College

introduction to Greek theater from CUNY

Terminology for Greek drama from about.com

The Illustrated Greek theater from Dr. J.

tragedy: setting the stage from About.com; great background

page two: some images and information on the theater

Sophocles

Euripides

Aeschylus

(more links toplays and playwrights are in progress)

Wheeler High School
North Stonington, CT
wevenski@northstonington.k12.ct.us