Greek Terms To Know

Question 1

Antagonist

Answer 1

The character against whom the protagonist struggled (the villain)

Question 2

Catharsis

Answer 2

The release of powerful, healing emotions that make tragedy so moving (the effects of tragedies on the spectator)

Question 3

Empathy

Answer 3

Is a projection of oneself into another character; an identification in which one seems to participate in the actions and feelings of the other

Question 4

The EPISODE in a tragedy

Answer 4

The part that falls between choral songs

Question 5

Hamartia

Answer 5

Fatal flaw

Question 6

Hubris

Answer 6

Arrogance

Question 7

Nuntius

Answer 7

The messenger, an actor who narrated action that occurred offstage

Question 8

Choral stanzas

Answer 8

Choral songs were divided into stanzas. The STROPHE sings one thing and the ANTISTROPHE responds w an opposing view

Question 9

Sympathy

Answer 9

“Feeling with” - is a little more detached, more like pity

Question 10

Aristeia

Answer 10

A warriors excellence; a scene in which a hero in battle is at his best

Question 11

Kleos

Answer 11

Glory; what people say about you; what all Greek warriors want

Question 12

Métis

Answer 12

Intelligence

Question 13

Nostos

Answer 13

A hero’s homecoming

Question 14

Xenia

Answer 14

Hospitality

Question 15

In medias res

Answer 15

In the middle

Question 16

Invocation to the muse

Answer 16

At the beginning of the story the poet would ask the Muses, or Greek goddesses of poetic inspiration, to inspire him and lead his poem in the correct direction

Question 17

Epic

Answer 17

A long narrative poem telling of a hero’s journey

Question 18

Myth

Answer 18

A traditional story that typically involves supernatural beings or events

Question 19

Monomyth

Answer 19

“The hero’s journey”

Question 20

Epithet

Answer 20

A descriptive word or phrase that can accompany or be used in place of the name of a person or thing

Question 21

Lofty style

Answer 21

Elevated in style

Question 22

Epic simile

Answer 22

An extended comparison typically used in an epic poem

Question 23

Flashback

Answer 23

Interrupts the chronological sequence to show the readers a scene that happened in the past

Question 24

Imagery

Answer 24

Visually descriptive or figurative language

Question 25

The Greeks heroic code

Answer 25

According to the Greek heroic code, a hero’s honor depends on his courage and physical abilities

Question 26

Parable

Answer 26

A story that conveys a lesson through the presence of an analogy or comparison (Ex. Allegory of the Cave)

Question 27

Allegory

Answer 27

A story in which elements have literal and symbolic meaning (Ex. Allegory of the Cave)

Question 28

Oration

Answer 28

A formal speech intended to inspire listeners and encourage them. Powerful, emotional delivery is used to appeal to the audiences emotions.

Question 29

“Homeric Question”

Answer 29

Is there actually a Homer, or is he just a legend?

Question 30

Oral Tradition

Answer 30

The spoken told version of a story versus the one that is eventually written down

Question 31

Epic Poem

Answer 31

A long narrative poem that tells of a hero