Final answer:
In Greek drama, violence typically occurred offstage, with the audience learning about it through dialogue or messegers. The skene behind the performance area allowed for the representation of these acts without direct portrayal, serving both the narrative and practical limitations of the time. This approach emphasized the spoken word and the moral themes central to Greek tragedies.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Greek drama, acts of violence typically occurred offstage and were described to the audience through the dialogue or by characters known as messengers. Direct depiction of violence was avoided, favoring the power of the spoken word to convey the intense and often brutal actions that had transpired. The theatron, or amphitheater, was the space where the audience gathered, while violent acts would take place out of sight, behind the skene - a building which provided a backdrop and space for actors. This was done out of both propriety and practicality because the special effects needed to convincingly portray violence on stage were simply not available.
In tragedies, the content of the plays often revolved around themes like hubris, fate, and the gods' influence on human affairs. The protagonists, often of noble rank such as kings or military leaders, would experience a downfall due to their personal flaws, which the Greeks viewed as a cautionary moral lesson about human behavior. The concept of catharsis, as introduced by Aristotle, was a cornerstone of Greek theatre, as it was believed to purge negative emotions and maintain societal order.
The physical setting for these plays often included a stone-seated semi-circle, a circular orchestra, and a skene. The theatre architecture allowed the audience to hear about acts of violence while providing a dignified setting suitable for the community events that Greek dramas were. Greek theatre was a cultural and civic component of ancient Greek society, with citizens gathering annually to view these powerful and moral plays.