The statesman Solon is said to have created poems in which characters speak with their own voice . Spoken recitations , known as rhapsodes , of Homer 's epics were popular in festivals before 534 BC . Because of these , Thespis is often called the `` Father of Tragedy '' ; however , his importance is disputed , and Thespis is sometimes listed as late as 16th in the chronological order of Greek tragedians ; the statesman Solon , for example , is credited with creating poems in which characters speak with their own voice , and spoken recitations , known as rhapsodes , of Homer 's epics were popular in festivals prior to 534 BC .