Final answer:
In traditional Greek dramas, the best actor was awarded the role of the protagonist, who was always male. The dramas were developed from religious celebrations of Dionysus and evolved with contributions from notable playwrights like Sophocles, who introduced the third actor and expanded the Chorus, and Aeschylus, who added the second actor.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Greek dramas, the role of the protagonist was awarded to the best actor. This protagonist, often referred to as the Greek hero, was always a male character due to the social norms of the time that excluded women from performing. Men played all characters, including female roles, and wore masks to signify changes in role or character. The protagonist was the focal point of the narrative, the character around whom the entire story revolved.
The antagonist, on the other hand, embodied the obstacle or opposition that the protagonist faced. The Greek dramas were developed from religious celebrations, particularly dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine, and included choruses that sang and chanted, gradually setting the foundation for what we consider plays. These dramas evolved to include several actors and a somewhat more complex structure, with the chorus often serving as the narrator and a part of the acting ensemble. Sophocles, a prominent Greek playwright, introduced the third actor (tritagonist) and increased the chorus members from twelve to fifteen, facilitating more intricate plots and character dynamics.
Aeschylus, another celebrated playwright, added a second actor (deuteragonist) to the performances and reduced the chorus size from fifty to twelve. This adaptation allowed for more in-depth interaction between characters and set the stage for Greek tragedy's emotional and storytelling depth, which focused on the frailty of humanity and often the hubris of characters that led to their downfall.