There were many reasons that the Greeks performed theatre. They highly valued the arts, and it was a part of their culture. It was a way of worshipping the gods, and the Greeks wanted to please them. Also, it was a way the Greeks expressed themselves as a culture. Theatre was a form of entertainment, something that the rich highly valued. It was also used to work out societal issues. For example, origin stories and reasons for laws, and philosophical questions.
The actors and playwrights could make a living through theatre.
One reason for theatre was to worship the god Dionysus at a festival called City Dionysia. The main reason of this bi-monthly festival was to honor Dionysus. It was also created by leaders to please the people of Greece. Leaders in Greece during this era of tyranny needed popularity with the people to keep in rule. It was a chance for entertainment and fun. During the festival playwrights would compete for a panel of judges over the best, tragedies, comedies, and satyr plays. Tragedies, comedies, and satyr plays were some of the most prominent types of theatre in ancient Greece. Satyrs were goat men that were symbols of the god Dionysus. Plays were performed for Dionysus, so there was typically some connection. The winning writer would get a prize and his name engraved somewhere for all to see.
As the years went on, the reasons for writing and performing theatre evolved more into money, entertainment, culture, and expressive works. This evolved even further through the ages. Today, we knows the reasons for theatre are mainly entertainment, money, and creative expressiveness. That just goes to show that ancient Greece had many connections to our modern world. Those same reasons for performing and writing theatre still stand today give or take a few small factors. If the Greeks hadn't invented theatre, we would be missing a major cultural feature from our world today.
The actors and playwrights could make a living through theatre.
One reason for theatre was to worship the god Dionysus at a festival called City Dionysia. The main reason of this bi-monthly festival was to honor Dionysus. It was also created by leaders to please the people of Greece. Leaders in Greece during this era of tyranny needed popularity with the people to keep in rule. It was a chance for entertainment and fun. During the festival playwrights would compete for a panel of judges over the best, tragedies, comedies, and satyr plays. Tragedies, comedies, and satyr plays were some of the most prominent types of theatre in ancient Greece. Satyrs were goat men that were symbols of the god Dionysus. Plays were performed for Dionysus, so there was typically some connection. The winning writer would get a prize and his name engraved somewhere for all to see.
As the years went on, the reasons for writing and performing theatre evolved more into money, entertainment, culture, and expressive works. This evolved even further through the ages. Today, we knows the reasons for theatre are mainly entertainment, money, and creative expressiveness. That just goes to show that ancient Greece had many connections to our modern world. Those same reasons for performing and writing theatre still stand today give or take a few small factors. If the Greeks hadn't invented theatre, we would be missing a major cultural feature from our world today.