Criticism > Classical and Medieval Literature Criticism > Greek Theater - A. E. Haigh (essay date 1889)

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A. E. Haigh (essay date 1889)

SOURCE: Haigh, A. E. “Dramatic Contests at Athens.” In The Attic Theatre: A Description of the Stage and Theatre of the Athenians, and of the Dramatic Performances at Athens, pp. 1-36. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1889.

[In the following excerpt, Haigh describes the festivals celebrating Dionysus, particularly their drama contests.]

DRAMATIC CONTESTS AT ATHENS.

1. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ATTIC DRAMA.

The ancient Athenian drama was in many respects unlike any kind of dramatic performance that we are accustomed to in modern times. The difference extended not only to the character of the plays themselves, and the manner in which they were presented upon the stage, but also to the circumstances under which the production took place. In order to form an accurate conception of the external features of the old Greek drama it will be necessary to dismiss from the mind many of...

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1. Introduction
2. Representative Works
3. Criticism
   1. A. E. Haigh (essay date 1889)
   2. Leo Aylen (essay date 1985)
   3. Peter D. Arnott (essay date 1989)
   4. J. R. Green (essay date 1994)
   5. Clifford Ashby (essay date 1999)
   6. David Wiles (essay date 2000)
4. Further Reading
5. Copyright

1. Ancient Greece