Because each year the playwrights were given one theme or topic, Aristotle was able to make comparisons and seek general principles of good playwriting without the distraction of different subjects. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, sat in the audience and observed. Judges watched the plays from the front row of the theatre, and on the final day chose the winners. (Satyr plays were in the light, burlesque style, and usually contained themes of drinking and overt sexuality). Three playwrights performed three tragedies and one satyr play each – one set of plays per day – in the theatre of Dionysus. Three days of the festival were devoted to the performance of tragic plays. The Dionysia was a religious festival held once a year in ancient Athens to honour the god Dionysus.
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