Greek Drama
Who were the actors in the first Greek theater productions?
Men (only). Often the playwright himself was an actor.
Who wrote Oedipus Rex?
Sophocles
Name the monstrous creature that Oedipus defeated as it plagued Thebes. What does this mythical creature look like?
The Sphinx. It has the body of a lion, head of a human female, and wings.
These three character speak in the Prologue of the play.
A priest, Oedipus and Creon.
What is the literary term for when something is characterized by the opposite of what is expected.
Irony.
What sport is featured in the new movie, Challenger?
Tennis
What did Laius do to his son?
Tied his ankles and threw over a mountian?
What form does the dialogue take in Greek plays?
Dialogue takes the form of verse/ poetry
Who are King Polybus and Queen Merope?
King and Queen of Corinth. They are Oedipus's adoptive parents.
So far, the play has mentioned these 3 major Greek cities.
Delphi, Corinth and Thebes.
Describe how the plague is manifesting itself in Thebes.
People dying. Children being stillborn. Herds of animals dying.
What is the literary term for when the audience knows something the characters do not?
Dramatic irony.
How many contients are there and which is the largest?
7 and Asia
What did Oepdius do after the rumors about his parents began?
He fled and went to the Apollo for answers.
What was the purpose of the chorus in ancient Greek theater?
To provide commentary on the play AND to represent the thoughts and feelings of the audience.
Who told King Liaus that his son will one day kill him?
The Oracle of Delphi.
What are the various roles/titles that Jocasta plays?
Wife to both Liaus and Oedipus; mother of Oedipus; Queen of Thebes.
Where was Creon returning from when he meets Oedipus outside the palace?
Delphi, where he visited the Oracle.
Name two qualities of a tragic hero.
1. Protagonist of the story 2. Has a noble birth 3. Holds a high position 4. Has a tragic flaw that ultimately brings about his/her downfall.
What artist dropped a dis track that means happiness? What is the title of the song? (need both answers)
Kendrick Lamar, Euphoria
Who found Oedipus on the mountian?
The shepherd
What is the term meaning excessive pride?
Hubris
What are the circumstances of King Laius's death?
He was killed on the road when traveling with 5 servants to Delphi. Only 1 servant/witness survived. Oedipus killed him.
Who is Creon?
He is Jocasta's brother and Oedipus's brother-in-law.
According to Creon, what does the god Apollo command the Thebans now do?
Take revenge upon whoever killed King Liaus.
The gods.
Where and when will the next Olympics take place?
Summer 2024, Paris
Why did Oedipus flee Corinth after speaking to Apollo?
An oracle told him that he would kill his father and marry his mother.
Who are 3 famous playwrights from 5th century BC Greece?
Sophocles, Euripedes, Aeschylus
What is the riddle of the Sphinx?
What walks on 4 legs in the morning, 2 legs in the afternoon, and 3 legs at night?
What is the meaning of Oedipus's name?
Swollen foot.
What did the witness say about who King Laius's murders were? (in Prologue)
A band (group) of highwaymen (robbers).
Blindness is a motif in this story. What is a motif?
A recurring subject, image or idea in a literary work.
The 2002 movie “8 Mile” is the semi-autobiographical story of what rapper?
Eminem
What is Oedipus' tragic flaw?
Hubris- excessive pride
thinks he can run away from the fate of the gods