Greek Terms Flashcards
Dionysus
- God of wine and fertility and theatre
Anagnorisis (Concepts of Greek tragedy) and examples
- The point in a play when a principal character recognises another principal character’s true aims or when a character recognises a truth about who they are.
- Creon’s realisation
- Antigone’s acceptance
Antistrophe (Structure of dialogue)
- The second section of an Ancient Greek choral ode or of one division of it
Catharsis (Concepts of Greek tragedy) and examples
- The process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions
Creon’s tragic flaw hubris causes his catharsis at the end
Haemon and Eurydice’s deaths = lost everything, complete breakdown and blames himself
Audience catharsis too Antigone, Haemon and Eurydice all died for Antigone’s righteous pride.
Choragus (Concepts of Greek tragedy)
- Leader of the chorus
Exodus (Structure of play)
- A mass departure of people
Hamartia (Concepts of Greek tragedy) and Examples
- A fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine
- Antigone’s defiance.
- Creon’s pride.
Hubris (Concepts of Greek tragedy) and examples
- Excessive pride or arrogance that results in the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy
- Creon’s pride
- Antigone’s defiance
Ode (Structure of play)
- A lyric poem usually marked by serious, respectful, and exalted feelings toward the
subject
Paean (Concepts of Greek tragedy)
- A song of praise or triumph
Parados (Staging/design terminology)
- Entrance for the chorus (or actors)
Peripeteia (Concepts of Greek tragedy) and examples
- A sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances, especially in reference to fictional narrative
- Creon’s realisation
- Antigone’s arrest
As peripeteia takes effect,
Prologue (Structure of play)
- A separate introductory section of a literary or musical work
Scene (Structure of play)
- A real or fictional episode; a division of an act in a play
Strophe (Structure of dialogue)
- The first section of an ancient Greek choral ode or of one division of it
Tragedy (Concepts of Greek tragedy)
- A play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, especially one
concerning the downfall of the main character
Tragic Flaw (Concepts of Greek tragedy)
- A weakness or limitation of character, resulting in the fall of the tragic hero
Tragic Hero (Concepts of Greek tragedy)
- A protagonist with a fatal flaw which eventually leads to his/her demise
- Antigone
- Creon
Skene (Staging/design terminology)
The skene was a building situated behind the stage area in ancient Greek theatres. It served as a backdrop for the action and often had doors or windows through which actors could enter and exit. The term “skene” originally referred to the tent or hut used by actors in early Greek theatre, but over time it evolved into a more permanent structure that became an integral part of the stage design.
Proskenion (Staging/design terminology)
The proskenion was the part of the theatre stage that stood in front of the skene. It was essentially a raised platform where the actors performed, and it was often decorated to reflect the setting of the play. The proskenion served as the primary acting area and was distinct from the chorus, which performed in the orchestra.
Stasima (structure of play)
Stasima (or stasimon) are choral odes in Greek tragedy that are performed by the chorus while they are standing still (as opposed to moving around, which is why they are called “standing odes”). These odes typically comment on the action of the play or reflect on themes and are interspersed between the episodes (scenes of dialogue).
Episodes (Structure of play)
Episodes are the individual scenes or acts within a Greek tragedy. They involve dialogue and action between the characters and serve to advance the plot. Episodes are separated by choral odes (stasima) and are key to the development of the dramatic narrative.
Stichomythia (Structure of dialogue) and examples
Stichomythia is a dramatic technique used in Greek theatre where characters engage in rapid, alternating lines of dialogue, often in a back-and-forth pattern. This method is used to heighten tension or to reveal conflict and sharp wit between characters.
Haemon vs Creon
Effect = powerful
Tension, engaging
Antigone vs Ismene (contrast of firmness vs questions)
Agon (Concepts of Greek tragedy) and examples
Struggle or competition
Antigone vs Creon
Creon vs Haemon
