The Origin of Modern Treagedy
THE GREEK THEATRE
The origins of tragedy in the modern world especially in West are
obscure, but it is certainly derived from the poetic and religious
traditions of the ancient Hellas (Greece). Its roots may be traced more
specifically to the dithyrambs, the chants and dances honouring the
Greek god Dionysus, to the Romans known as Bacchus.
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These drunken ecstatic performances were said to have been created by
the satyrs, this strange figures, half-goat beings who surrounded
Dionysus in his revelry. Prhynichos, son of Polyphradmon and pupil of
Thespis, was one of the
earliest of the Hellenic (Greek) tragedians. Some of the ancients,
indeed, regarded him as the real founder of tragedy. He gained his
first poetical victory in 511 BC.
Tragedy, origin and definition:
The word's origin is Greek (τραγωδία) and contracted from [τράγος+αοιδία “tragos-aoidia”] meaning "goat song" from
‘tragos’ = "goat" and ‘aeidein’ = "to sing". Later in
ancient Greece,
the word "tragedy" meant any serious drama, not merely those with a
sad ending. This meaning may have referred to any of these: Goat-like costumes worn by
actors who played the satyrs. A goat being presented as a prize at a song
contest. The actors being paid a goat as their pay for appearing on stage. Τhat the first half is not "goat" but 'trageîn' (in 2nd aorist
infinitive of trōgein) means "to gnaw". From the same root we have
trogo [τρώγω] meaning “to eat”. 
Picture: Sochos' Carnival
Video Clip: Olympic Games Athens 2004
Dionysos Party - Wedding
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There is some dissent to the dithyrambic origins of tragedy mostly based in
the differences between the shapes of their choruses and styles of dancing. A
common descent from pre-Hellenic fertility and burial rites has been suggested.
Aristotle is very clear in his Poetics that tragedy proceeded from the authors
of the Dithyramb.
Maenads-Achilles
Click above for a sexy traditional carnival song
Theories of tragedy
The philosopher Aristotle theorized in his work “The Poetics” that tragedy
results in a catharsis (emotional cleansing) of healing for the audience
through their experience of these emotions in response to the suffering of the
characters in the drama. Not all plays that are broadly categorized as
"tragedies" result in this type of cathartic ending, though – some
have neutral or even ambiguously happy endings. Exactly what constitutes a
"tragedy", however, is a frequently debated matter. Some hold that
any story with a sad ending is a tragedy, whereas others demand that the story
fit a set of requirements often based on Aristotle to be considered a tragedy.
Read more 1. Dionysiac Carnival [Philoxenia]
Warm Regards
Georgios
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