English 1 Midterm Exam Study Guide

Annus --- Latin

Aquia --- Latin

Astron --- Greek

Bonus --- Latin

Centum --- Latin

Corpus - Latin

Cum --- Latin

Decem --- Latin

Dens --- Latin

Figo --- Latin

Geo --- Greek

Graph --- Greek

Inter --- Latin

Logos --- Greek

Luna --- Latin

Manus --- Latin

Metron --- Greek

Mille --- Latin

Para --- Greek

Phobos --- Greek

Photos --- Greek

Pono --- Latin

Pro --- Latin

Pyro --- Greek

Syn - Greek

Tempus --- Latin

Thesis --- Greek

Trans --- Latin

Verbum --- Latin

Visum --- Latin

 

What are your first impressions of Oedipus as a ruler and a person?

Why does Tiresias originally refrain from divulging the truth to Oedipus and the others assembled outside the palace?

What is Oedipus' response to Tiresias' refusal, and then later, to his accusations?

Tiresias replies that he is beholden to no one but Apollo - the higher authority that the Greeks thought was God (in this case, it is Apollo rather than Zeus, because the Delphian oracle is devoted to Apollo).  This allows him to speak the painful truth to Oedipus.  What caused Tiresias to change his mind and speak the truth, do you think?

Now that you have seen Oedipus react directly to adversity is your opinion of him different?  Would you characterize Oedipus a evil, or merely human, in his angry reactions to Tiresias' speeches?

Crean tells Oedipus that he is a "madman" and is "hateful in yielding and severe when (he) passes from anger."  Is Oedipus' anger measured, or does it seem paranoid, to you?

What effect do the Chorus' repeated vows of faith in Oedipus as "our guide to better things" have on your perceptions of Oedipus?  Would you feel the same way if there were no Chorus speeches?

Oedipus calls himself an "abomination" for killing his father and marrying his mother.  If he was aware of neither at the time, why does he call himself evil?  Is a man responsible for the evil of his actions if he is truly unaware that they are evil?  Think about the idea of "pollution" in the city.

The death of Polybus raises the question in everyone's mind but those who know the truth --- "is Oedipus' biological father Laius or Polubus?"  What does it say about Oedipus and his feelings of guilt (or lack) that he clings to the illusion that Polybus was really his biological father?

Recount the events that lead up to the self-blinding of Oedipus.

What becomes of Jocasta?

Does it seem fair for Oedipus to call himself "the most accursed"? Why or why not?

What function might suck sentiments serve the ancients who watch the play in the audience? (What warning/message might they take from the play?)

What basis is there for Oedipus' fear that his daughters will not easily find spouses?

"Call no man blessed" till Oedipus dies, says the Chorus to the audience.  Why?

ANTIGONE

*  Eteolcles and Polynices are Antigone's brothers.   They have just died in war (they killed each other).

*  Polynices had led an army into Thebes making him a traitor.

*  Creon is the king of Thebes and he has passed a law forbidding the burying of any traitors. (Polynieces shall not be buried)

ANTIGONE

*  Antigone decides she must bury her brother's body because it is what the gods would want.  She believes it is important to follow gods' law, rather than mans.

*  Antigone asks her sister, Ismene, to help bury their brother, Ismene refuses.  

*  Antigone is caught breaking the law and fully admits to her deeds.  Iceman also tries to take the blame, but Antigone won't allow this.

ANTIGONE

*  Haemon, Antigone's fiance, tries to defend her actions.  Creon, his father, ignores him and accuses him of being bewitched by women.

*  Creon locks Antigone in a cave with limited food.  This way she'll die but won't have been murdered.

*  Creon regrets his choices and goes to free Antigone.  When he gets to the cave he finds that Antigone has hung herself and Haemon, who had gone to try and help Antigone, has "fallen on his sword".

GREEK THEATER

Tragedy - tells of the downfall of a basically good and noble individual who, because of some personal flaw, tempts Fate and brings himself great amounts of suffering.

Hamartia - A tragic flaw, weakness, of character or error in judgment, which causes the downfall of the hero.

GREEK THEATER

Hubris - Arrogance or overwhelming pride which causes the hero's transgression against the gods; usually the tragic flaw

Catharsis - Purgation of emotions of pity and fear which leaves the viewer both relieved and elated

GREEK THEATER

The Greeks had a religious and legal prohibition against showing acts of violence on stage, which meant that characters always died off stage.

The chorus served several functions:

LABEL THE PARTS OF THE THEATER



***The above is missing one.

Theatron - "seeing place" where the audience sat
Orchestra - circular dancing place, where actors and chorus perform
Thymele - alter to Dionysus
Skene - building used as a dressing room
Parados - entrance and exit to the theater used by the chorus
Proskenion - facade of the scene which served as a backdrop