Antigone Key Terms

Question 1

Thespian

Answer 1

An actor

Question 2

Koilon (or theatron)

Answer 2

The auditorium

Question 3

Diazoma

Answer 3

Upper and lower levels of the koilon (auditorium)

Question 4

Periactoi

Answer 4

Two prismatic pillars (one stage left and one stage right) - these could be rotated to change scenes during the performance

Question 5

Ekeclema

Answer 5

A platform carrying “dead bodies” that was wheeled on (this was done because Greek theatre never showed a murder or suicide on stage)

Question 6

Proscenium

Answer 6

Acting area (or stage) in front of the skene

Question 7

Orchestra

Answer 7

The circular performance area at the centre of the ancient Greek theatre, where the chorus and actors performed

Question 8

Skene

Answer 8

The building behind the stage where actors could change costumes and represent different settings (usually the temple or palace)

Question 9

Parados/Paradoi

Answer 9

• The entrances which provided access to the orchestra (for the thespian’s and chorus)
• The right parados came from the city or port; the left parados led from the fields or abroad.

Question 10

Thymele

Answer 10

An altar in the centre of the orchestra used to make sacrifices to Dionysus. The leader of the chorus (coryphaeus) stands here.

Question 11

Paraskenia

Answer 11

Extensions or annexes on the sides of the skene

Question 12

Episode/Epeisodion

Answer 12

An interlude or section alternating with the stasimon

Question 13

Stichomythia

Answer 13

The rapid line-by-line exchange between two actors

Question 14

Agon

Answer 14

A formal debate in tragedy

Question 15

Rhesis

Answer 15

A longer speech (usually no longer than about a hundred lines) in which a character offers an exposition of their situation, or a description of events

Question 16

Pleonasm

Answer 16

Using more words than necessary to express meaning (often for emphatic effect)

Question 17

Oikos

Answer 17

Household/home

Question 18

Polis

Answer 18

The state

Question 19

Dramatic irony

Answer 19

Failure of a character to see or understand what is obvious to the audience

Question 20

Hamartia

Answer 20

Refers to a tragic flaw or error that leads to a character’s downfall

Question 21

Hubris

Answer 21

Excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance

Question 22

Peripeteia

Answer 22

The reversal of fortune or change in circumstance

Question 23

Catharsis

Answer 23

The process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions

Question 24

Anagnorisis

Answer 24

The startling discovery that produces a change from ignorance to knowledge

Question 25

Dike/Dice

Answer 25

The goddess of justice and the spirit of moral order and fair judgement as a transcendent universal ideal - seen as a higher principle guiding human destiny

Question 26

Bathos

Answer 26

A sudden change from a serious/important subject to a ridiculous or very ordinary one

Question 27

Pathos

Answer 27

The use of emotional appeal to persuade or affect an audience

Question 28

Themis

Answer 28

Divine law