Greek Dramatic Terms

Question 1

Architektonike

Answer 1

rising and falling action

Question 2

Act I

Answer 2

presentation of dramatis personae and dilemma or striving

Question 3

Act II

Answer 3

complication

Question 4

Act III

Answer 4

Denouement (unraveling)

Question 5

Peripeteia

Answer 5

turning point or reversal, usually in Act II

Question 6

Protagonist

Answer 6

focal character, initiator of action; HERO

Question 7

Antagonist

Answer 7

respondent to protagonist, VILLAIN

Question 8

Hero

Answer 8

larger-than-life stature, noble, high-minded, idealistic, attached to “great ends,” visionary, conscience/guilt, striving, HAMARTIA, ANAGNORISIS, regain of stature and a noble death

Question 9

Hamartia

Answer 9

tragic frailty, error, vulnerability, Achilles heal, usually be hubris (excessive pride), egotism, megalomania

Question 10

Anagnorisis

Answer 10

recognition

Question 11

Carthisis

Answer 11

purgation, purification, therapeutic effect on audience, pity and fear

Question 12

Nadir

Answer 12

low point in hero’s fortunes

Question 13

Catastrophe/Crisis

Answer 13

opportunity, lethal danger, change, insight

Question 14

Aristotelian Unities

Answer 14

action ruling out subplot, time is short and usually within a single day, the place setting isn’t changed, no admixture of tragedy and comedy, and no gore

Question 15

Medieval English Drama

Answer 15

miracle, morality, and mystery

Question 16

Classical Vs. Elizabethan

Answer 16

secularized and civil patronage, bawdy humor, violation of unities, mixed genre, realism, and comic relief

Question 17

Greek Chorus

Answer 17

wore masks (comedy and tragedy masks), background, tells us what took place, objectifies, comments on objective reality