Most Greek dramas fell into two easily recognizable forms.
The drama found in the amphitheaters of the ancient Greeks was usually split into two major forms: tragedy and comedy. The vast majority of plays written at this time fall into one of these two categories and share a number of characteristics, though precise definitions of each form vary. Satyr plays, which contained elements of both of the major forms, were also performed, though few satyr plays have survived through history and the form is marginalized as a result.
Tragedy
The aim of tragedy could be said to be catharsis -- in other words, the cleansing of the audience's hearts of their daily concerns by subjecting them to the story of a protagonist who endured much worse. Thus, tragedies dealt with powerful stories of love and loss, and were often based around a well-known myth, though much liberty could be taken with its retelling. Tragedy was defined by its action, rather than being told in a narrative form. It was serious in nature, and its actors spoke in elevated language.
Characters in Tragedy
Many of the characters in tragedy, especially those in the tradition defined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, were high-born personalities, such as rulers and gods. Typically, the focus of a tragic drama was on one character who undergoes a rise in power, fortune or status, and then falls as a result of his arrogance or another tragic flaw. Tragedies also featured a chorus who explained some of the background of the play, but also interacted with the other performers.
Comedy
The tradition of comedy in Greek theater originated in the rural festivities of the time, and involved satire, comment on current issues and humorous situations. Unlike tragedies, comedies featured common language which was often vulgar in nature. The action of a comedy was not necessarily designed to provoke laughter; rather, a comic playwright might intend a play to satirize the actions of a politician, for example. Subjects for comic plays included literature and warfare, but generally these plays were based around light-hearted plots such as women refusing to make love to their husbands.
Characters in Comedy
Ancient Greek Comedy typically centered on the activities of highborn characters who were mocked by the playwright. Later comic plays, such as those by Menander, focused on the activities of the common people rather than those in power. Like tragic plays, comedies featured a chorus, but these performers would dress in disguise, as animals such as frogs, for example.
Satiric Drama
A third form of drama is sometimes referred to alongside tragedy and comedy. Satyr plays included "The Cyclops" by Euripides, and were written as crosses between comedy and tragedy. In these plays, the chorus contained performers acting as satyrs, mythical creatures with the lower bodies of goats and the torsos of humans. These light-hearted plays often ended festivals and would present the tales of heroes or gods in an amusing fashion.
