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 66-95
 Matching
descriptions & quotations to
characters, persons, or places
Questions 96-105
 Place
play
events in chronological order of the
Questions 106-115
 Matching
examples of irony to types of
irony
Questions 116-140
 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 - 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 – a cleansing of emotions, usually pity and
fear, especially through art
Parados – in Greek theater, the entrance to the theater
or the entrance ode given by the chorus
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)