Greek Theatre

Plot
A tragedy's plot consists of a serious action that stirs up feelings of pity and fear. A comedy's plot focuses on an ordinary problem that regular people face. Comedies aren't necessarily funny; they're stories of worthy people who succeed.

Characters
A tragedy's central characters are nobles. The main character is the tragic hero. A comedy's main character is the comic hero, who has average morals, and is generally ignoble.



Settings
Tragedies often occur on a battlefield or in the great hall of a palace. A comedy occurs in an ordinary room.

Events
Tragedies have episodes that provoke feelings of disappointment and fear. Due to the tragic hero's ego and tragic flaw, along with something going wrong, he will encounter a semi-undeserved tragic fall. The charismatic comic hero will prosper and his innate nobility will be be shown through tests of character. 

Chorus and audience
Since the tragic hero's fall is not entirely deserved, the chorus will still admire the hero. The hero will learn from his fall and, along with the audience, experience a catharsis. While the comic hero will not have high morals, he will have enough magnetism to win the audience over but not always the chorus.

Structure
Tragedy: Prologue - Episodes - Exodus
Comedy: Prologue - Agon - Parabasis - Episodes - Exodus

Characteristics of the theatre
Ancient Greek Theatres were very large, open-air structures that took advantage of sloping hillsides for their terraced seating. Because of drama's close connection with religion, theatres were often located in or near sanctuaries. 

Purposes
To honour the god Dionysus, to entertain, educate and instruct, to invoke pity and fear in the audience (according to Aristotle).