{Greek Literature [continued (4)] [– Tragedy]}[8th February 1991]

[Redbook8:240-241][19910208:1520d]{Greek Literature [continued (4)] [– Tragedy]}[8th February 1991]

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‘Tragedy. Tragedy may have developed from the dithyramb, the choral cult song of the god Dionysus. Arion* of Lesbos, who is said to have worked at Corinth in about 600,** is credited with being the first to write serious poetry in this medium. Thespis (6^th century BC[E]),** possibly combining with dithyrambs something of the Attic ritual of Dionysus of Eleutherae, is credited with having invented tragedy by introducing an actor who conversed with the leader of the chorus. These performances became a regular feature of the great festival of Dionysus at Athens about 534BC[E].** Aschylus introduced a second actor, though his drama was still centred in the chorus, to whom, rather than to each other, his actors directed themselves.

***

*{(Arion – not Anon!)}

**2048G~536BCE

***[ibid [Encyclopaedia Britannica 20:] 401-402]

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