ASND, literary context

Question 1

Define hamartia

Answer 1

The tragic flaw that leads to the character’s downfall.

Question 2

Define peripeteia

Answer 2

A reversal of fortune brought by the hero’s tragic flaw, often influenced by fate.

Question 3

Define anagnorisis

Answer 3

A moment of realisation

Question 4

Define catharsis

Answer 4

Feeling of release

Question 5

When did drama originate?

Answer 5

Between 500-200 BC in Greek times.

Question 6

What are aristotle’s 6 elements of tragedy?

Answer 6

1. exposition
2. complication
3. rising action
4. climax
5. falling action
6. denouement

Question 7

What is a didactic play?

Answer 7

A play written to instruct the audience in ethical, religious or political areas.

Question 8

What is a morality play?

Answer 8

a sin and a redemption in dramatic terms

Question 9

What is plastic theatre?

Answer 9

Plastic theatre is the use of props, sounds or stage directions to portray clear parallels with the character’s mind on stage.

Question 10

Where did plastic theatre stem from?

Answer 10

Expressionism (1905-1920 in Europe), attempted to distort images, use symbolism to show the inner psyche of the mind.

Question 11

What are the characteristics of a tragic hero according to Aristotle?

Answer 11

1. Usually of noble birth
2. Hamartia
3. Peripeteia
4. Anagnorisis
5. Audience may feel pity for the character

Question 12

Characteristics of a tragic hero

Answer 12

1. Someone with quality of greatness
2. Good but not too good, so the audience can identify with them.
3. His own destruction is for a greater cause (to prove a point)
4. The hero’s downfall is his own fault as a result of his own free choice, but his misfortune is not wholly deserved.

Question 13

Why did drama originate?

Answer 13

Dionysus the god of wine was honoured with a festival called ‘City Dionysia’.

Question 14

What is dithyrambic poetry?

Answer 14

Songs of praise to god performed during Dionysian festivals by a group of 50 citizens of Athens, known as a chorus.

Question 15

What was popular in the 1930s-40s for writers?

Answer 15

Focusing on working class citizens.
Strong work ethic = true American, focus on w/c heroes.
U/C= contemptuos, indifferent

Question 16

As the 20th century dawned what happened to literature?

Answer 16

A fascination with Southern Literature. Writers fascination with the past turned towards the economic decay of the South symbolised by the decaying beauty of the South