I. Defining Terms
Directions: Define or find examples of the following terms. Be prepared to discuss
them in class. Use another sheet if necessary.
The Greek Chorus and its various functions:
Ode: Meant to be sung; a lyric poem. 1
Greek Theater, its structure and layout:

Orchestra: The place where people acted and danced/singed in accordance to the play
that was being showed for entertainment.

Theatron: Where people sat, “Viewing place,” may
have had either cushions or boards to sit on; went
along most of the Orchestra era (about a half way
through).

Skene: Meaning directly “tent”, behind the
Orchestra. It was made to look like backdrop and it
was usually crafted to fit the play.

Parados: Paths by which people that where participating in the play entered and left. 2
Episode(in theatre terms): a scene in a literary work; “Scene or incident in a literary work.”
Anagnorisis: An Epiphany; a sudden moment of realization, an OMG moment.
Catharsis: a purification of emotions; the audience members leave the theater as better persons
intellectually, morally, or socially. They have either been cleansed of fear of pity or have vowed to
avoid situations that arouse fear and pity. In modern usage, catharsis may refer to any
experience, real or imagined, that purges a person of negative emotions.3
Deus ex Machina: to invoice something of greater magnitude of power; a scene where the actor
displays attention or invocation to something outside or not truly existent of the physical theater. 4
1
"Ode | Define Ode at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of
Words at Dictionary.com. LLC. Copyright © 2010. Web. 30 Aug. 2010.
<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ode>.
2
Englert, Walter. "Greek Theater." Reed College. Hum110 Tech. Web. 30 Aug. 2010.
<http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/Theater.html#Theaters>.
3
Cummings, Michael J. "Literary Terms." Free Study Guides for Shakespeare and Other
Authors. The Free Cummings Study Guides Are Maintained as a Public Service by Michael J.
Cummings, Sept. 2010. Web. 30 Aug. 2010.
<http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/xLitTerms.html#Machine>.
4
"Deus Ex Machina | Define Deus Ex Machina at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the
Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. LLC. Copyright © 2010. Web. 30 Aug.
2010. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/deus ex machina?fromAsk=true&o=100074>.
Peripeteia: a sudden unexpected turn of events.
5
Stichomythia: A very intense moment in the play—short, choppy dialogue that intensifies the
mood and may impose an argument. 6
Dramatic Irony: something (an event, a notice, a new, etc) that is known by the audience but not
by the actually characters in the art. 7
Pathos (2 examples):
Pathos: The appeal to the audience emotions, and can be used by:

A metaphor

Or a long, passionate relegation of the character in the play. 8
5
"Peripeteia | Define Peripeteia at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and
Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. LLC. Copyright © 2010. Web. 30 Aug. 2010.
<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/peripeteia?o=100074>.
6
"Stichomythia | Define Stichomythia at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings
and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. LLC. Copyright © 2010. Web. 31 Aug.
2010. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Stichomythia>.
7
"Dramatic Irony | Define Dramatic Irony at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the
Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. LLC. Copyright © 2010. Web. 31
Aug. 2010. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dramatic irony>.
8
"Pathos." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 31 Aug. 2010.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathos>.
Tragedy, its characteristics:
“Tragedy is "an imitation of an action that is serious, complete and of a certain magnitude; in
language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament... in the form of drama, not of narrative,
through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions (catharsis)."”
Characteristics:

Hopeless

Sad

Ailing
Tragic hero, his/her characteristics:
9

Strong

Willing to sacrifice himself/and or willing to sacrifice others for himself

Usually illustrates dramatic irony

Hamartia: A tragic fall—a weakness. 9

Hubris: “excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.”10
"Hamartia | Define Hamartia at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and
Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. LLC. Copyright © 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2010.
<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Hamartia>.
10
"Hubris | Define Hubris at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and
Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. LLC. Copyright © 2010. Web. 30 Aug. 2010.
<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Hubris>.
II. Greek Drama on the Web*
Directions: Use the internet to find the answers to all of the questions below. You might
need to look in multiple places to be sure you have the correct answer. The group with
the most correct answers will get to drop one homework grade. If there is a tie, I will ask a
bonus question.
The earliest Greek plays evolved from dithyrambs, or, “a Greek choral song or chant of
vehement or wild character and of usually irregular form.”11
The first actor was a man named B.C.
There are three types of play in Greek drama: “comedy, satyr plays, and most important of
all, tragedy.” 12
Antigone is a tragedy
Aristotle said tragedy the mind through _ and , purging us of our petty concerns and worries
by making us aware that there is _ in suffering- catharsis.
“Aristotle argued that tragedy cleansed the heart through pity and terror, purging us of
our petty concerns and worries by making us aware that there can be nobility in
suffering.”13
11
"Dithyrambs | Define Dithyrambs at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings
and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 31 Aug. 2010.
<http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dithyrambs>.
12
"The Different Types of Greek Drama and Their Importance." PBS. US Educational
Channeling Program. Web. 31 Aug. 2010.
<http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks/background/24c.html>.
13
"Archive for March 2010." Hccweb3.org. Web. 31 Aug. 2010.
<http://hccweb3.org/davo11s/?m=201003>.
Greek plays rely on unities of _, and _.
The three great Greek tragedians were Sophocles, _, and . Aristole
Sophocles wrote the Oedipus Cycle over _27 years. The first play in the cycle that he wrote
was .
The set of a Greek play is called a _, and it remained in place for the entirety of the play.
According to Aristotle, instead of a plot pyramid, the action of a Greek tragedy follows the
chain of ,time-- meaning that each event led clearly to the next, and the play itself must be
self-contained.
Answers invalid unless Part I is completed.