The Tragedy as a Polis' Institution

Abstract

The article aims to analyze some evidences that suggest an relationship between Greek tragedies and polis, in order to reinforce the hypothesis that the tragedy is more than a literary genre, but a political institution. Therefore, the works of Goldhill, Hall, Tierno, Vernant, are crucial. Thus, it analyses some conditions for the emergence of the democratic polis will, insofar as they clarify the relationship between this socio-political organization and the tragedy. Then, the factual context in which the tragic enactments took place will be examined, pointing out that such events were an institutional concern. Finally, in order to point out a deeper relationship than a mere contextual contingence, we intend to reflect on some of the main political themes of the plays.