Greek Drama Terms

Question 0

hamartia

Answer 0

tragic flaw; character trait; causes downfall of hero

Question 1

hubris

Answer 1

obnoxious pride

Question 2

anagnorisis

Answer 2

recognition or discovery on the part of the hero; change from ignorance to knowledge; usually tied to turning point of play

Question 3

peripeteia

Answer 3

reversal of fortune; from good to bad; turning point of play

Question 4

nemesis

Answer 4

fate which cannot be escaped

Question 5

catharsis

Answer 5

purging of emotion of pity and fear; big release of emotion; leaves viewer both relieved and elated

Question 6

catastrophe

Answer 6

disastrous conclusion usually including multiple deaths; if tragic hero doesn’t die, he usually suffers

Question 7

physis

Answer 7

forces of nature; unrestricted

Question 8

nomos

Answer 8

human laws instituted by a city

Question 9

polis

Answer 9

the “good” city of man - ruled by law

Question 10

motif

Answer 10

recurring element that helps reveal theme

Question 11

verbal irony

Answer 11

what is said is the opposite of what is meant

Question 12

dramatic irony

Answer 12

audience knows what to expect, but characters don’t

Question 13

situational irony

Answer 13

what happens is not what is expected

Question 14

strophe

Answer 14

movement in one direction across the stage

Question 15

antistrophe

Answer 15

movement in the OTHER direction across the stage