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What was the role of Theatre as an Athenian institution?

            In the 5th Century the Athenian theatre had many social attributes which made .
             it an incredibly important part of society. It reflected the typical cultural norms and .
             values of the social, political and religious functions of the community. As B. Knox .
             argued the "theatre [ ] expressed so clearly and directly the mood and mind of the .
             whole [Athenian] community", representing and relating to the audiences everyday .
             life.
             .
             The Athenian Theatre was closely linked to the political activities and actions .
             of the community. The Bema, which held the political assembly, had many .
             similarities to the theatre. Both these building were normally situated near to each .
             other within the community and were of the same shape and size. They both had .
             central circular stages where the speeches/ performances were carried out, and the .
             audiences were elevated above the stage. These similarities between the two .
             structures gave the theatre the same status as the political assembly. This would .
             therefore give the audiences watching Athenian plays a sense of identity to their .
             everyday lives. The situations and activities the Bema would deal with would then be .
             performed to the public in the theatre. The role of the theatre as a social institution .
             became closely linked to the discussions and events that appeared in the Bema, so .
             both building were used to inform and educate the people of Athens. This according .
             to Aristotle was the main goal of the theatre, to create happiness to the audience while .
             educating it - "Learning is a very great pleasure".
             The theatre also showed the hierarchical status of the people, as did the Bema. .
             The people of the highest status would be the closest to the speaker and the people of .
             lower status would be at the back of the Theatre/Bema. This was socially constructing .
             the audiences and the Athenian people, letting them know their status and place in .
             society. The social function of the theatre and the social role it played helped in .


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