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Classroom Activities for Greek Tragedies

The ancient Greeks were an influential and powerful civilization. Greek theater was widely known for strong cultural and political statements. Greek tragedies were shared throughout the country to promote a common identity among Greeks. Originating in Athens, Greek tragedy has had a significant effect on Western culture as a whole.
  1. Greek Tragedy Role Playing

    • Divide the class into small groups of five students. Assign a different tragedy to each group. Ask each group to reenact a defining moment in the play that you have just assigned. Act as the narrator while each group is acting out their assigned tragedy. Be certain to assign each student a part to perform in the play.

    Greek Theater Mask Making

    • The actors in Greek tragedies typically played more than one role in a particular play. Ask each student to create a mask that they feel depicts one of the characters in a particular Greek tragedy. Have the student write down the character being depicted and explain the interpretation of the characteristics that are being depicted in the mask.

    Greek Playwright Activity

    • Explain the key concepts and themes to your students and ask them to write their own Greek tragedy. Allow each student to add attributes from modern stories to highlight the similarities between ancient Greek playwrights and themselves. Ask each student to clearly define the concept or theme that is being depicted in their play. Students should present their plays to the classroom when completed.

    Greek Theater Bingo

    • List and number 24 four Greek tragedies. Cut out a sheet of construction paper in half. Have the children cut one-quarter size circles out of construction paper. Make a 5-by-5 grid on the half sheet of construction paper. Write down the number on each bingo card corresponding with the plays that you have written down. Have the students cover their circle while you call out numbers. The student that wins the game can pick out 5 classmates and reenact a scene from one of the plays that helped win the game.

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