world lit Flashcards
study (25 cards)
Persona
In literature and drama, a persona refers to a character’s role or mask presented to others, often distinct from their true self.
Gilgamesh
A legendary king in ancient Mesopotamian mythology and literature, known from the epic of Gilgamesh, who seeks immortality.
Enkidu
A central figure in the Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu is a wild man created by the gods to humble Gilgamesh, but later becomes his loyal friend.
Trial and Temptation
A narrative motif where a character undergoes challenges or moral dilemmas that test their resolve or character.
Agamemnon
In Greek mythology, a king of Mycenae and leader of the Greek forces during the Trojan War, infamous for his role in the myth of the sacrifice of his daughter Iphigenia.
Penelope
In Greek mythology, the wife of Odysseus, known for her fidelity and cleverness in warding off suitors during Odysseus’s long absence.
Hera
In Greek mythology, the queen of the gods, wife and sister of Zeus, associated with marriage, childbirth, and family.
Oracle / Soothsayer / Prophesier
A person or place regarded as a source of divine wisdom or prophecy, offering insights into future events.
Oedipus
A tragic hero of Greek mythology, who unwittingly fulfills a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother, leading to his downfall.
Jocasta
In Greek mythology, the mother and wife of Oedipus, who tragically realizes her relationship with Oedipus after many years.
Nausicaa
In Homer’s Odyssey, the princess of the Phaeacians who discovers Odysseus washed ashore and helps him return to Ithaca.
Jason
The hero of Greek mythology who leads the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece, facing various trials and challenges.
Orpheus
A legendary musician and poet in Greek mythology, known for his ability to charm all living things with his music.
Arachne
In Greek mythology, a talented mortal weaver who challenges Athena to a weaving contest and is transformed into a spider as punishment.
Medusa
In Greek mythology, one of the Gorgons with snakes for hair, whose gaze turns people to stone.
Circe
A sorceress in Greek mythology, who turns Odysseus’s men into swine before being persuaded to release them.
Lotus Plant
In Greek mythology, a plant whose fruit and flowers cause those who eat them to become lethargic and forgetful.
Golden Fleece
In Greek mythology, the fleece of the winged ram that was sought by Jason and the Argonauts as a symbol of kingship and authority.
Glauce
In Greek mythology, the daughter of King Creon of Corinth, who becomes the unwitting victim of Medea’s revenge.
Xenia
In ancient Greece, the concept of hospitality and guest-friendship, considered a sacred obligation.
Minstrel
A medieval European entertainer who performed songs, poetry, and stories, often traveling from place to place.
Greek Drama
The theatrical traditions of ancient Greece, encompassing tragedies, comedies, and satyr plays performed in open-air amphitheaters.
Aristotelian Tragic Hero
A protagonist in a tragedy, as defined by Aristotle, who possesses noble qualities but suffers a downfall due to a tragic flaw (hamartia).
Exile
The state of being barred from one’s native country, typically as a punishment or due to political reasons.
