Match the description to the person.
1. greek tragedian who introduced elaborate scenery
2. first great writer of greek comedy
3. roman comedy writer
4. former slave who wrote comedy
5. greek tragedian who rewrote myths to suit his subject
options:
a. terence
b. plautus
c. euripides
d. aristophanes
e. aeschylus

Instructions: Match the description to the person.

Options:

Answers:

Explanation:

1. Aeschylus was an ancient Greek tragedian who introduced elaborate scenery. He is often described as the father of tragedy. He is known for being the first of classical Athens’ great dramatists, who introduced the amazing art of tragedy to poetry and theatrical power.

2. Ancient Greek comedy was very popular and influential in theatre performances during the 6th century BCE. Aristophanes was the first great writer of Greek comedy and one of the most famous playwright of this genre. This genre poked fun at politicians, philosophers, and fellow artists.

3. Plautus was a well-known Roman comic. The plots of Plautus’s plays are known to be sometimes interestingly developed and very well organized but they are most known for providing scenes of pure farce. Plautus is a truly famous dramatist, whose comic effect includes rapid action, exaggeration, burlesque, and an upside-down portrayal of life.

4. Terence was a former slave who wrote comedy during the years 166-160 B.C. His plays were based on modern comedy of manners. Terence was taken to Rome as a slave by a Roman senator called Terentius Lucanus. This Roman senator was impressed by Terence’s ability and gave him a liberal education and later on, his freedom. Terence apparently died young but all of the six plays that he wrote have survived and are still with us till this day.  

5. Euripides was born in Athens, Greece, in the year 485 B.C. He became one of the most influential and well known dramatists in classical Greek culture. Only 19 of his 90 plays have survived. He rewrote myths to suit his subject. His most famous tragedies include The Bacchae, Hippolytus, Medea and The Trojan Women. These were reinvented Greek myths and revealed the darker side of human nature.  

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