Actually, it's just a different culture. It's no more 'bad' than African art or Peruvian singing is 'bad' - just a different frame of reference. And it's tempting to think it's not a different culture because the similarities are so striking.
If you don't believe me I'd highly recommend some books by David Wiles or by Csapo and Slater; I think they'd change your mind.
Once you're into the mindset, and can contextualise, the plays will seem quite marvellous. The main things we struggle with are the size of the performance space --which dwarfs any modern theatre and was open-air-- and the political significance. Athenian theatre at the Dionysia was... well let's just say that all seats were subsidised so everyone could go, including prisoners who were released for the performances. Even women and slaves may have attended. And this was about selling Athens's power, since it was the major show festival to visitors and metics.
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Date: 2010-06-13 08:47 pm (UTC)If you don't believe me I'd highly recommend some books by David Wiles or by Csapo and Slater; I think they'd change your mind.
Once you're into the mindset, and can contextualise, the plays will seem quite marvellous. The main things we struggle with are the size of the performance space --which dwarfs any modern theatre and was open-air-- and the political significance. Athenian theatre at the Dionysia was... well let's just say that all seats were subsidised so everyone could go, including prisoners who were released for the performances. Even women and slaves may have attended. And this was about selling Athens's power, since it was the major show festival to visitors and metics.