You are going to read a poem about an ancient Greek play acted 2.000 years ago. Before reading 1. Look at the pictures. What do you think the poem will be about? 2. How does the theatre in the picture differ from modern theatres? 3. Look at the article you read about masks in Activity 2. Which type of mask mentioned in the article is in the picture? While reading Read the poem with a partner, taking turns to read. The poem was written by a teenage schoolboy studying drama. chorus - a group of people saying or singing a poem together arena a huge open stage where people sit in a circle around the stage recites - says a poem aloud for an audience toppled caused to fall down or fall over, when people stop a king or aler from governing captured caught wounded - hurt Here someone looks at an ancient Greek mask. The poet imagines how the audience arrived to watch a Greek play 2.000 years ago. The poet imagines a play where a brave hero kills a cruel king. Donovan Thompson Here is a mask from Ancient Days It was used in the acting of tragedy plays Look at the mouth - it curls right down Between the eyes a deep dark frown. Stop for a moment. Imagine the drama Crowds of people in this outdoor arena They sit on the steps and gossip and chat And wait for the actors to come out and act. It's early morning, the sun now rises, The actors get ready in masks and disguises A silence comes down on the seated crowd The chorus walks on and recites out loud Now the hero comes on, his actions are bold His sword is sharp, his shield shines like gold He marches out to rescue a city From a cruel king who has little city 10 Who treats his own people like slaves and foo's L. He must be toppled so democracy ru es and tragedy marks
