Greek Terminology Flashcards
Tragic hero
A literary character
An error of judgment/has a fatal flaw + fate and external forces = tragedy.
This is the central character in a tragic play.
Hubris
Exaggerated self-pride/self-confidence often resulting in fatal retribution.
considered the greatest sin of the ancient Greek world
Hubris is used today to refer to people who believe they are exempt from ordinary limitations on human behavior.
Hamartia
Literally translated -> fatal flaw
In Greek tragedy -> a typically desirable personality/characteristic/course of action that, due to unforeseen circumstances, results in tragic consequences
Ex: In one famous tragedy, Thyestes attends a banquet to reconcile with his brother (normally an honorable and reasonable action to take). His brother, Atreus, uses the banquet as an opportunity to take revenge by killing Thyestes’ children and serving them to their father.
Ate (not ate as in she ATE)
The blind recklessness frequently displayed by tragic heroes
Tragic heroes -> impulsive and refuse to listen to the advice of others
This complicates the conflict in the play and leads to the tragic outcomes of the plot.
Recognition/agnorisis
The point at which a tragic hero becomes aware of, or accepts, the fact of his/her error in judgment
This frequently occurs at or near the climax of the conflict in the tragedy.
Perpeteia
Reversal of fortune
The tragic hero’s change in behavior resulting from his/her recognition of error
In tragedy, the events set in motion by the tragic characters’ actions are generally too far advanced for the hero’s reversal of course to bring about change.
Nemesis
The force that brings down the powerful and arrogant
Pathos
The sympathy and sorrow felt by the audience for the tragic hero
Catharsis
The emotional release experienced by the audience of a tragedy
Chorus
Group of actors -> voice of society in a tragic play
Chorus will occasionally interact with characters
Most important role -> respond to the action of each scene in a chanted ‘ode’ -> represents thoughts of society
Ex: in Medea it is 5 women from Corinth
Choragos
Leader of the chorus
Occasionally steps out of main body to interact with characters in a scene/provide commentary during ode
Ode
A chanted response to the events of a scene present by the chorus
Singing + Dancing remnants of the old religious ceremonies that established the first dramatic performances in Greece
Strophe
Means to turn
First stanza of ode -> chorus relates info to the audience while moving left to right
Ex: Medea -> info that supports/defends protagonist (Medea)
Antistrophe
Means to turn back
Chorus relates info that tend to complicate or contradict the strophe while moving left to right
Epode
Means after song
Where chorus comes together mid stage and sings final stanza or ode
-> not every ode has epode
Prologue
Opening scene in a tragic play
Presents setting, introduces central characters, establishes conflict
Parados
Physical movement of chorus (walks/dances from one side the stage to another) while chanting
Presents opportunity for chorus to reveal more information about the setting/establish public opinion about the events at the beginning of the play
Exodus
The closing ode of the play
Chorus responds to tragic events
Presents moral lesson from the events/character death
Stasimon
A choral song between episodes that comment on the action
Stichomythia
A dialogue style in which two characters speak alternate lines of verse, used as a stylistic device in Ancient Greek drama
Episodes
Scenes containing the main action of the play
Usually around 3-6
Deus ex Machina
Means god from the machine
Unexpected power or event saving a seemingly hopeless situation
Usually deliberately created as a plot device
Agon structure
Juridical style of debate which emphasizes local arguments and formal language
Dramatic irony
A drama technique
When the audience watching a play understands what’s happening in a situation while the characters are unaware of what’s happening
