Thespis

Home > ... > Literature and the Arts > Classical Literature, Mythology, and Folklore > Classical Literature: Biographies > ...

Essential reading Compare
side-by-side World Encyclopedia The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition

Thespis

Thespis , fl. 534 BC, of Icaria in Attica. In Greek tradition, he was the inventor of tragedy. Almost nothing is known of his life or works. He is supposed to have modified the dithyramb (which had been, in effect, exchanges between the leader and the chorus) by introducing an actor separate from the chorus. This actor was called the hypocrite or "responder." Thus there developed a spoken dialogue.

Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/.aspx#1E1-Thespis" title="Facts and information about Thespis">Thespis</a>

Give this article a thumbs-up on StumbleUpon

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Thespis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 24 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Thespis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (December 24, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Thespis.html

"Thespis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Thespis.html

Learn more about citation styles

Thespis

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Â© World Encyclopedia 2005, originally published by Oxford University Press 2005. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Thespis (6th century bc) Greek writer, according to tradition, the inventor of tragedy. He is also said to have introduced a character separate from the chorus, who provided dialogue by responding to the chorus' comments.

Create a link to this page

Copy and paste this link tag into your Web page or blog:

<a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/.aspx#1O142-Thespis" title="Facts and information about Thespis">Thespis</a>

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Thespis." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 24 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Thespis." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (December 24, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Thespis.html

"Thespis." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved December 24, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Thespis.html

Learn more about citation styles

Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries and thesauruses

Rate these entries|See all related entries

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	THE WORLD OF PAPERBACKS.(List) Magazine article from: Contemporary Review; 3/22/2009
	Amazing memory man's operatic test. Newspaper article from: Chichester Observer (Chicheste, England); 8/28/2007

Facts and information from other sites

Related articles from newspapers, magazines, and more

	Drama students strut their stuff at 10th annual Thespis Newspaper article from: Jerusalem Post; 5/8/2003; ; 700+ words ; ...students strut their stuff at 10th annual Thespis Byline: GREER FAY CASHMAN Edition; Daily...Page: 08 Thursday, May 8, 2003 -- The Thespis international festival of university theater...entirely of university theater groups, Thespis has developed into a popular annual event...
	Thespis theater festival tries to be daring Newspaper article from: Jerusalem Post; 4/22/1999; ; 700+ words ; ...have in common? They are all part of Thespis 99, the Sixth International Student Theater...University and the Khan Theater. This year's Thespis festival offers a great deal of variety...Despite the intervening years, the Thespis organizers can still expect criticism...
	Review of Dennis Kezar, ed. Solon and Thespis: Law and Theater in the English Renaissance.(Book review) Magazine article from: Early Modern Literary Studies; 1/1/2008; ; 700+ words ; Dennis Kezar, ed. Solon and Thespis: Law and Theater in the English Renaissance...Review of Dennis Kezar, ed. Solon and Thespis: Law and Theater in the English Renaissance...surveyed here, Dennis Kezar's Solon and Thespis: Law and Theater in the English Renaissance...
	Solon and Thespis: Law and Theater in the English Renaissance.(Book review) Magazine article from: Renaissance Quarterly; 9/22/2007; ; 700+ words ; Dennis D. Kezar, ed. Solon and Thespis: Law and Theater in the English Renaissance. Notre Dame: University...comes from a meeting between Solon, an Athenian lawmaker, and Thespis, a Greek poet and actor, over whether lies in a play lead to...
	THESPIS SEASON OPENING SOON.(PREVIEW) Newspaper article from: Albany Times Union (Albany, NY); 6/17/1993; 364 words ; Artistic director Thorman Hulse will direct the first Thespis production of the summer, two Christopher Durang short plays, "Sr. Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You" and "The Actor...
	How Papp got it right: theatre's lineage--traced through Thespis, Aeschylus, Shakespeare and Joe Papp--is inextricably linked to democracy.(ANTECEDENTS)(Viewpoint essay) Magazine article from: American Theatre; 1/1/2007; ; 700+ words ; I want to start with a story that is the founding myth of the institution I now lead, New York City's Public Theater. It's the story of Joseph Papp's struggle with Robert Moses. Moses was the most powerful man in New York City--one of the most powerful men in the country, in fact, during the 1950s,
	Gilbert & Sullivan's lost show Newspaper article from: Deerfield Review (IL); 9/30/2004; ; 700+ words ; ...touches on their debut production of "Thespis, or The Gods Grown Old," a topsy...Now, Day has written new music for "Thespis," and the Savoy-aires will present...the point where they couldn't revive 'Thespis.'" The musical fate for two of the...
	Acting through the ages: "all the world's a stage ...". Magazine article from: Appleseeds; 5/1/2005; ; 700+ words ; ...actor and playwright, the Greek poet Thespis, who lived about 2,500 years ago...years with dance, song, and poetry, Thespis came up with something different. Instead...becoming the character he was telling about, Thespis invented acting. As Thespis continued...
	Bakery Caters to Canines in Knoxville, Tenn. Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News; 5/30/2001; 700+ words ; ...bakery, where they'll likely be greeted by Thespis, Loffredo's 8-year-old golden retriever. Thespis did have the job as the bakery's chief...human consumption, she offered them to Thespis. The dog liked his treat, and Loffredo...
	Evanston plans nine days of arts Newspaper article from: Evanston Review (IL); 9/30/2004; 700+ words ; ...events listed below are free, except for "Thespis," "No Way to Treat a Lady," and those...300 Dodge Ave. $5. 7:30 p.m.: "Thespis." (See accompanying story.) Sunday...See accompanying story.) 3 p.m.: "Thespis." 4 p.m.: Coffeehouse Faculty Recital...