Definitions Flashcards
Define the genre of tragedy
A serious play (or, by extension, a novel) representing the disastrous downfall of a central character, the protagonist.
Define Tragic Flaw
The idea of the tragic flaw involves a narrowing and personalizing of the broader Greek concept of hamartia (‘error’ or ‘failure’)
What two feelings should a tragedy create?
Pity and Fear
Define Miasma
Pollution
Define Hubris
Excessive pride or self-confidence or in Greek Tragedy excessive pride or defiance, leading to Nemesis
Define Nemesis
The inescapable agent of someone’s or something’s downfall
Define Hamartia
A fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic greek hero or heroine
Define insanity in terms of Greek Tragedy
When an individual purposely does not recognise the gods.
What period of time was prosperous for Athens?
The 5th century
What is the chorus in a Greek tragedy?
A group of singers and dancers within a play, with fictional collective personality related to the plot
When does the prologue happen in a Greek Tragedy?
Spoken section before the entry of the chorus
What is the parados in a Greek Tragedy?
First choral ode, sung by the chorus as thy enter
Define nomos
law, convention
Define phusis
Nature
What is the Cassandra Paradox?
‘Cassandra was left with the knowledge of future events, but could neither alter these events nor convince others of the validity of her predictions’ Wikipedia
Where does the Chorus stand?
Stasimon
Who wears masks in tragedies?
The protagonist and the Chorus. The Chorus all wear the same mask, which differs from the protagonist
Are tragedies always part of a trilogy?
Yes, the Oresteia is the oldest and the only surviving one left.
What is Libation?
A drink poured out as an offering to a deity (wikipedia)
Who are the Furies?
In Greek mythology they are the three goddess of vengeance, sometimes referred to as the infernal goddesses
What are the three Furies’ names?
Tisiphone (avenger of murder), Megaera (the jealous) and Alecto (constant anger)
What does antiquity mean?
The ancient past, especially the period of classical, before the Middle Ages
Who is Priam?
In Greek mythology he is the King of Troy and the father of Paris
What does the Eumenides mean?
The Gracious ones or the Kindly ones
