Oedipus lessons 1-5 Flashcards
Thebes
An ancient Egyptian city on the Nile River (setting)
Altar
a raised platform on which sacrifices or gifts are offered in some religions
Citizens
inhabitants of a city or town
Laurel
evergreen branch used as a decoration in recognition of achievement
Garlands
wreaths or circles of plants used as decorations
Cadmus
the ancient founder of the city of Thebes according to Greek mythology
Wreathed
encircled or decorated
Incense
a substance often used in religious ceremonies to produce a strong and pleasant smell when it is burned
Hades
The home of the dead in Greek mythology and the Greek god of the underworld
Surging
rolling as in waves
Labour
childbirth
Tribute
forced payment (often made by one ruler to another as a sign of dependence in times of war)
Dramatis Personae
the list of the characters in a play
Yearn
to have an earnest or strong desire
Menoeceus
the father of Jocasta and Creon
Creon
the brother of Jocasta
Pythian
of or pertaining to Apollo
Apollo
the ancient Greek and Roman god of light, healing, music, poetry, prophecy, and manly beauty
Shrine
a place of worship made holy by association with a scared person or object
Phoebus
Apollo as the sun god, the sun personified
Delphi
an ancient city in central Greece, in Phocis: site of an oracle of Apollo
Sought
went in search or quest of
Kinsman
a blood relative, especially a male
Confidence
certainty
Sphinx
A monster with the body of a lion, wings, and the head and torso of a women. After the death of King Laius, the Sphix tryannized Thebes by not letting anyone into or out of the city, unless the person could answer the following riddle: “What walks on four legs in the morning, on two legs at noon, and three in the evening?” Those who could not answer were killed and eaten. Oedipus provided the answer (a human being) and thus saved the city. The Sphinx then committed suicide.
Obscure
not well known or difficult to understand
Afresh
from a fresh beginning
Avenging
harming or punishing someone who has harmed you or something that you care about
Vengeance
the act of doing something to hurt someone because that person did something that hurt you or someone else
Common Ruin
The complete loss of health, means, position, hope, or the like belonging equally to an entire community, nation, or culture
Zeus
the supreme deity of the ancient Greeks, the god of heavens
Pytho
another name for the city of Delphi, where the shrine of Apollo is located
Cadmeians
another name for citizens of Thebes
Rack
an implement of torture
Intent
the thing that you plan to do or achieve
Labdacus
Laius’ s father
Mute
not able or willing to speak
Ally
a person or group that gives help to another person or group
Wretched
very unhappy or very bad or unpleasant
Dispatched
to have a sent (someone or something)
