The Greek Theater Essays - Ancient Greek Theatre, Cult Of Dionysus

The Greek Theater The Greek Theater "The arts of the western world have been largely dominated by the artistic standards established by the Greeks of the classical period" (Spreloosel 86). It is from the Greek word theatron, meaning a place for sitting, that we get our word theater. According to James Butler, "The Greeks were the first people to erect special structures to bring audiences and theatrical performers together" (27). "The theaters were normally located near a populated area at the bottom of or cut out of a carefully selected, sloping hillside overlooking a seascape, a plain, or a city" (Butler 30). "They eventually with few exceptions consisted of three distinct parts: theatron (viewing place) for spectators, orchestra (dancing place) where the chorus and actors performed; and a later addition, a skene (scene building), which provided a scenic backing" (Butler 30). The theatron was the place where the audience sat. At first the spectators sat on the ground, later on wooden bleachers and finally on tiers of stone seats which followed the circular shape of the orchestra and the natural contours of the countryside. The theatron surrounded the orchestra on three sides. Describing the theater of Dionysus, David Taylor writes, " The spectators seats were in a curving area, a little more than a semi-circle and slope down to the center" (Taylor 19). Even though all classes of people attended the theater there were reserved areas for the more prestigious, such as the king. " The audience arranged in rows, looked out across a rounded orchestra" (Kennedy 1102). Because most of the early dramas were religious and required a sacrificial ceremony, a thymele (an altar or sacrificial table) was located in the center of the orchestra. The orchestra was where the chorus and actors performed. Arnott states, " the nucleus of the drama was the chorus" (Arnott 9). David Taylor comments, " The theater actually did start without any separate actors; there was only the chorus" (15). Later actors were added, but the chorus still remained the center of attention. The audience sat at a considerable distance from the orchestra and looked down on the performance. Although the amount of detail perceived was limited, they often were drawn into the play and became characters themselves. " The action has spilled over from the orchestra to the auditorium to embrace the whole community, players and public alike" (Anott 21). The third distinct part of the theater was the skene (scene building). "The earliest scene buildings were very simple wooden structures " (Butler 31). " Originally, the skene was a dressing room; later it is believed to have borne a painted backdrop" (Kennedy 1102). This area was known as the actors place. It was intended to provide a background against which actors could perform. "In Greek theater as we know it, the skene appears as a appendage, adjunct, breaking the perfect circularity of the design" (Arnott 13). Although the origin of the Greek theater is unclear, many historians believe that it developed out of religious ritual and its performances were connected to religious festivals. The performances were used to educate and entertain. "The theater is certainly not the same as it was in ancient Greece - but it has not changed completely" (Taylor 8). This form of art has always had a special appeal for many people. Works Cited Arnott, Peter. The Ancient Greek and Roman Theatre. New York: Random House, 1971. Butler, James H. The Theatre and Drama of Greece and Rome. San Francisco: Chandler, 1972. Kennedy, X.J., and Dama Gidia, eds. Literature: An Introduction To Fiction, Poetry and Drama. New York: Harper Collins, 1995. 1102-1105. Spreloosel, Jackson J. Western Civilization Volume I. St. Paul Mn: West,1994. 86-88. Taylor, David. Acting and the Stage. London: George Allen Unwin, 1978.

Facts and Figures of Eudimorphodon

Facts and Figures of Eudimorphodon Although its not nearly as well known as Pteranodon or even Rhamphorhynchus, Eudimorphodon holds an important place in paleontology as one of the earliest identified pterosaurs: this smallish reptile hopped around the coastlines of Europe a whopping 210 million years ago, during the late Triassic period. Eudimorphodon had the wing structure (short forelimbs embedded in an extended flap of skin) characteristic of all pterosaurs, as well as a diamond-shaped appendage on the end of its tail that probably helped it to steer or to adjust its course in mid-air. Judging by the structure of its breastbone, paleontologists believe Eudimorphodon may even have had the ability to actively flap its primitive wings. (By the way, despite its name, Eudimorphodon wasnt particularly closely related to the much later Dimorphodon, beyond the fact that both were pterosaurs.) Name: Eudimorphodon (Greek for true dimorphic tooth); pronounced YOU-die-MORE-fo-don Habitat: Shores of Western Europe Historical Period: Late Triassic (210 million years ago) Size and Weight: Wingspan of two feet and a few pounds Diet: Fish, insects and possibly invertebrates Distinguishing Characteristics: Small size; over 100 teeth in snout; diamond-shaped flap on end of the tail Given Eudimorphodons nameGreek for true dimorphic toothyou may surmise that its teeth have been especially diagnostic in tracking the course of pterosaur evolution, and youd be right. Although the snout of Eudimorphodon measured barely three inches long, it was packed with over a hundred teeth, punctuated by six prominent fangs at the end (four on the top jaw and two on the bottom). This dental apparatus, combined with the fact that Eudimorphodon could snap its jaws shut without any spaces between its teeth, points to a diet rich in fishone Eudimorphodon specimen has been identified bearing the fossilized remains of the prehistoric fish Parapholidophorusprobably supplemented by insects or even shelled invertebrates. One of the interesting things about Eudimorphodon is where its type species, E. ranzii, was discovered: near Bergamo, Italy, in 1973, making this one of the most notable prehistoric animals native to Italy.  A second named species of this pterosaur, E. rosenfeldi, was later promoted to its own genus, Carniadactylus, while a third, E. cromptonellus, discovered a couple of decades after E. ranzii in Greenland, was subsequently promoted to the obscure Arcticodactylus. (Confused yet? Well, then youll be glad to know that yet another Eudimorphodon specimen discovered in Italy in the 1990s, which had been tentatively classified as an individual of E. ranzii, was likewise kicked up to the newly designated genus Austriadraco in 2015.)

Law Relating to Children Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Law Relating to Children - Case Study Example The only family care which children have received from their tender age is in the care and nurturance of Hannah, who lives with her live-in man Ian, who supports her decision to keep the children under her care. Hannah's home is the only safe home which the children have had in their growing years. And, Hannah provides good care not only for the two girls Ella and Grace, whom Barry (the step father) had left under her care but has also taken to care for a newborn Joanne, whom Allison brings in her care in distress. Hannah, has a natural generosity and love for children and good support from her live-in mate Ian, which gives the children a safe and loving home environment for growth and development. Children have grown to have a strong relationship with Hannah and are growing ell under her care. Hannah and I an could seek Parental Responsibility order based on the Children's Act 1989(The Law Relating to Children, 2007), from the court to make sure they maintain nor only social responsibility of the children, but legal rights to ensure safety and welfare of the children, after Barry's death. If Barry were still alive, they could obtain Residence Order as the primary care giver. But with Barry's death it would naturally be determined that they are the only consistent family influence on the children. ... It really would not affect much if Hannah and Ian were married or not. Hannah and Ian have been together as live-in mates before children were brought in their care. And, both Hannah and Ian have been willing to take children in. If there was disagreement on the part of Ian, it would be different story, but with Ian's support and consent it really does not affect much legally. Allison, is just the biological mother of the three girls, she has been an irresponsible mother involved in a profession which would harm her children more if they were in her care. She could not provide stable and safe home for the children. She is not committed to her children. She has not even kept in touch with the children except for occasional birthday cards and Christmas presents. Her character is unstable and indulgent. She is involved in a very unsuitable profession which can be devastating exposure for her children. And her addiction with drugs make her unpredictable and unworthy as a caregiver for her own children. She is a classic example of a young and irresponsible mother, involved in a very messy situation where she cannot get out of the trap of indulgence and addiction. Even though Allison is irresponsible and uncaring, being the biological mother she does have right to step into the life of her children, if she shows exemplary change in her ways and responsibilities towards her children under the supervision of the court in case of emergency, under Emergency Protection Order and Care Order(The Law Relating to Children, 2007). This can be done only if she assumes dramatic change in her life which reflects her more caring and responsible attitude towards her children and there is a situation