Final answer:
Ancient Greek drama reflects a society that valued public accomplishment and perceived divine influence in human affairs, yet it moved towards individual definitions of morality.
Themes of hubris and humanism are prevalent, denoting a shift towards self-responsibility within the constraints of fate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Greek Beliefs and Values Reflected Through Drama
One might conclude from Ancient Greek drama that the Greeks held certain beliefs about the divine and human nature. The Greeks valued public performance of excellence, particularly in battle and rhetoric, and were concerned with external achievements rather than private virtue.
Fear of shame was significant, and there was a collective understanding that the gods influenced human affairs, often through intervention or as exemplars of behavior. However, by the time of Socrates, many Greeks began to question the traditional stories and practices, moving towards a view of morality as individual and relative.
Greek drama conveyed these shifts in thinking by portraying human choices and frailties against a backdrop of fate and divine influence. Tragedies explored the consequences of hubris, or excessive pride, which was believed to anger the gods and lead to downfall. This fascination with human capability and the limits of control reflects a broader humanistic philosophy that would influence Western culture profoundly.
In conclusion, the interplay between the divine and human realms was central to Greek thought, as shown by tales where gods mirrored human characteristics and were seen as both a hierarchy and a reflection of human society. Greek playwrights used these tales to explore contemporary questions of moral and social order, emphasizing human action within the tapestry of fate.