SAC#2 definitions Flashcards
Sociohistorical context
The term sociohistorical context refers to the world in which classical works were produced. It encompasses specific events including social, cultural, and political milieux. The sociohistorical context of a work includes the way people lived in the place at that time, and the events that shaped their lives.
Greco-persian war
The Greco-Persian wars were a series of conflicts between the Greek city-states and the Achaemenid Empire, beginning in 492 BCE and lasting until 449 BCE and presenting as an existential threat the freedom of Greece.
Role of women
Ancient Greek women were expected to be subservient and were largely confined to the home, with wives often expected to undertake domestic duties and bear and raise children.
The art of rhetoric
The art of rhetoric made a rise in professional teachings to young men later in 5th century BC, and was seen as key to political success - especially in a democratic society that was small scale. [Teachers sought to impart inventiveness and articulacy.] Euripides’ character was given this through his use of the agon.
Tyranny
Tyrants of the Archaic age of ancient Greece [900 - 500 BCE] were popular in their time, however - in the course of the 5th century BC attitudes shifted under the influence of the greco-persian war. The outcome of this war was interpreted as the success of free and democratic Greeks against the tyrannical Persian king, tyranny becoming hated in Athenian writing after 480 BCE.
→ Tyranny turned from positive and acceptable to oppressive and self serving
Chorus
The chorus is an integral part of every Greek tragedy. It is a community or body concerned with the events of the drama consisting of a team of twelve or fifteen singers. Although the number of actors increased over time, the importance of the chorus never diminished - despite their own numbers decreasing. [this explains where there may have been less use of the chorus in Electra] Although its origins are obscure, it is believed to have originated from a choral song in the honour of Dionysus, “dithyramb”
Hubris
Hubris is defined as excessive pride or arrogance
Repentence
Repentance refers to the reviewing of one’s actions and the feeling of contrition or regret for past wrongs.
Justice
Justice is essentially giving each person what he or she deserves, or in more traditional terms, giving each person his or her due
Revenge/vengence
Revenge or vengeance is harm that is done to someone as punishment for harm they have done to someone else or the commiting a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance [be it real or perceived]
Dramatic irony
Literary device where the audience’s understanding of events or individuals surpasses that of the characters.
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a device in which a twitter gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the work, developing and/or subverting the audience’s expectations about upcoming events and making them question throughout the play.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole stems from a Greek word meaning excess. It is a figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration to make a point or show emphasis.
Rhetorical questions
Rhetorical questions are a device used to persuade or subtly influence the audience, used for effect rather than answer.
Allusion
Allusion is an indirect or passive reference
