ABSTRACT

This chapter delves into the interactive properties and products of movement and perception and focuses on how movement contributes to the establishment of narrative and informs the intentionality, or dianoia, of a certain scene. It explores dramatic movement from a number of interlinked cognitive perspectives to try to gain some understanding of its impact in performance and its contribution to the overall emotional effect of the plays. The chapter considers how the movement of the chorus and actors communicated motor-action-orientated kinesthetic empathy and sensory-mirroring to the audience and how the mask enhanced this process. It also explores the role of the mirror neuron system in processing the movements of others and examines the value of neuroscience research in this area in helping to increase our understanding of the cognitive perceptual and affective properties of watching movement and dance. The chapter discusses an important facet of movement to the performative fabric of Greek drama.