Greek Literature TEST Wednesday & Thursday

Questions 1-65 – Multiple Choice  Homer’s Iliad (excerpt in textbook)  Sophocles’ background  History of Greek Theater & Drama  Role of Chorus  Events of Play  Any and all terms discussed (irony, catharsis, etc.)

Questions  Matching descriptions & quotations to characters, persons, or places Questions  Place events in chronological order of the play

Questions  Matching examples of irony to types of irony Questions  True or False

Greek Literature TEST  Review all terms related to the play: Anagnorisis, hubris, arête, ob skena, choragus, stasimon, chiton, cothurni, catharsis, parados, episodes, archetype, 3 types of irony, perepeteia, apotstrophe, juxtaposition, denouement, skene, proscenium, etc.

ESSAYS – CHOOSE ONE 1. As the playwright Sophocles, defend your reasoning for choosing to portray the legend of Oedipus in dramatic format. Consider the following in your argument: the values and beliefs of your culture, the history of Greek literature and the theater, and the influences upon your writing. Why did you feel that Oedipus was the best subject matter for your play? Why was the drama the most appropriate medium for the story?

ESSAYS – CHOOSE ONE 2. According to Aristotle, the purpose of tragedy is, “to arouse pity and fear in the audience, and so create a catharsis— cleansing of emotions—that will enlighten people about life and fate.” As the audience watches the fate of the tragic hero unfold, Aristotle believes they will recognize in it the universal human plight. Keeping these ideas in mind, discuss the journey of Oedipus as it pertains to Aristotle’s definition. How is Oedipus the epitome of the tragic hero?

TERMS TO KNOW Anagnorisis – The “point of knowing” for the main character of a Greek tragedy; the recognition or discovery on the part of the hero and a change from ignorance to knowledge; the epiphany Hubris – excessive pride or arrogance, especially towards the gods Arête – the narrow ridge along the cliff of a mountain (literal meaning); for the ancient Greeks, this came to mean perfection, which was to have perfect balance in life

TERMS TO KNOW Hamartia – The hero’s tragic flaw ob skena – “off stage”; this is where we get the term “obscene” Choragus – The chorus leader Stasimon – The choral response to the episode; the odes Chiton - Chiton - in ancient Greek theater an actor’s long, flowing robe, usually died in symbolic colors. Cothurni – In ancient Greek theater, an actor’s platformed shoes

TERMS TO KNOW stichomvthia - In Greek drama, poetry, and dispute, a form of dialogue in which characters speak single lines alternately strophe - In Greek drama, the first part of an ode recited or chanted by the Chorus antistrophe - In Greek drama, the second part of an ode recited or chanted in response to the Chorus

TERMS TO KNOW Perepeteia – An abrupt change in a course of events; a reversal in fortune Apostrophe – When a character directly addresses an object, an abstract quality, or an absent or imaginary person, as if present and able to understand. Juxtaposition – Placing two opposite ideas, statements or scenes side by side for effect Denouement – The “unraveling” of the plot in which the final outcome is revealed or the conflict is resolved; the resolution, following the climax Skene – In a Greek theater, the scenery or backgrounds at the back of the stage.

TERMS TO KNOW Catharsis – Catharsis – a cleansing of emotions, usually pity and fear, especially through art Parados – Parados – in Greek theater, the entrance to the theater or the entrance ode given by the chorus Proscenium - Proscenium - the stage of an ancient theater between the background (scene) and the orchestra Episodes – In a Greek drama, the scenes where the main action of the plot occurs. Archetype – In literature, an archetype is a universal symbol which transcends time, place, and culture and which projects peoples hopes, fears, values, and aspirations; a model or prototype; a motif

TERMS TO KNOW (Examples of Archetypes in Oedipus)