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Origins of Theatre Mid-Term
Quiz on Greek, Roman and Early Medieval Plays
64
Film, Theatre & Television
Undergraduate 1
11/27/2013

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Term
Where is Agamemnon King?
Definition
Argos
Term
Who is Klytemestra?
Definition
Agamemnon's Wife/Murderer, Orestes, Iphigenia, and Electra's mother, and the Queen of Argos
Term
Who is Cassandra?
Definition
A prophetess who is captured from Delphi
Term
What is Cassandra's curse?
Definition
No one believes her prophecies
Term
Who are the Chorus in Agamemnon?
Definition
The city's elders
Term
Where does Agamemnon take place?
Definition
The palace at Argos
Term
How does the play Agamemnon begin?
Definition
The watchman sees a signal fire symbolizing the end of the Trojan War
Term
Why does Klytemestra want revenge on Agamemnon?
Definition
He sacrificed their daughter Iphigenia so that the winds would pick up and sail his ship to Troy
Term
In which play would you find purple carpet, and what is it's significance?
Definition
Agamemnon. Klytemestra convinces Agamemnon to walk on the purple carpet after he returns from the Trojan War. Hubris to the max.
Term
Upon arriving in Argos, what does Cassandra predict?
Definition
That she and Agamemnon will be killed, and that someone will come and seek revenge on Klytemestra
Term
"Her supplications and her cries of father were nothing, nor the child's lamentation to kings passioned for battle. The father prayed, called to his men to lift her with strength of hand swept in her robes aloft and prone above the altar, as you might lift a goat for sacrifice, with guards against the lips' sweet edge, to check the curse cried on the house of Atreus by force of bit and speech drowned in strength"
Definition
PLAY: Agamemnon
SPEAKER: Chorus to audience, but Klytemestra hears as well
WHEN: Before Agamemnon's return, describing his sacrificing of his daughter in an effort to win the war
DRAMATIC: -starts the play's action by motivating Klytemestra's need for revenge
THEMATIC: - Hubris is a major theme in the play
-drives Agamemnon's decision to sacrifice his own daughter so as not to damage his reputation as a great warrior
-drives Klytemestra's decision to prove that, though her husband is great, he can't mess with her family
Term
Define Hubris
Definition
Excessive pride or confidence, which is upsetting to the Gods
Term
"For there shall come one to avenge us also, born to slay his mother, and to wreak death for his father's blood. Outlaw and wanderer, driven far from his own land, he will come back to cope these stones of inward hate."
Definition
PLAY: Agamemnon
SPEAKER: Cassandra to herself/chorus
WHEN: Shortly before her death
WHERE: Outside palace
DRAMATIC: -foreshadows events of Libation Bearers
-is very relaxed, which shows that she is more troubled by her curse than that she is about to die
THEMATIC: -FATE
-all this is happening because of Atreus and the pie
-domino effect will continue with Klytemestra's children
Term
"No shame, I think, in the death given this man. And did he not first of all in this house wreak death by treachery? The flower of this man's love and mine, Iphigenia of the tears he dealt with even as he has suffered. Let his speech in death's house be not loud. With the sword he struck, with the sword he paid for his own act."
Definition
PLAY: Agamemnon
SPEAKER: Klytemestra to Chorus
WHEN: After she has killed Agamemnon and Cassandra
DRAMATIC: -sought revenge and succeeded
- believes house is at peace, and she can be happy with Aigsthos
THEMATIC: -hubris
-her pride stops her from seeing the loop (orestes) in her plan
-fate
- revenge/justice/women
Term
Who is Aigisthos?
Definition
Agamemnon's cousin and Klytemestra's lover
Term
“King of the ships, who tore up Ilium by the roots, what does he know of this accursed bitch, who licks his hand, who fawns on him with lifted ears, who like a secret death shall strike the coward’s stroke, not fail?”
Definition
PLAY: Agamemnon
SPEAKER: Cassandra to Chorus
WHEN: After her arrival in Argos
DRAMATIC: -advances plot
-foreshadows deaths of Cassandra and Agamemnon
- shows Cassandra's gifts through her knowledge of Klytemestra's betrayal
THEMATIC: - don't judge a book by it's cover
Term
“Were it religion to pour wine above the slain, this man deserved, more than deserved, such sacrament. He filled our cup with evil things unspeakable and now himself come home has drunk it to the dregs.”
Definition
PLAY: Agamemnon
SPEAKER: Klytemestra to Chorus
WHEN: After she has killed Agamemnon and Cassandra
DRAMATIC: -demonstrates Klytemestra's vengefulness
THEMATIC: - revenge
- her genuine belief in his sin justifies her throwing the wine > believes she is right> hubris
Term
“No, clearly the deception was the woman’s part, and I was suspect, that had hated him so long. Still with his money I shall endeavor to control the citizens. The mutinous man shall feel the yoke drag at his neck, no cornfed racing cold that runs free traced; but hunger, grim companion of the dark dungeon shall see him broken to the hand at least.”
Definition
PLAY: Agamemnon
SPEAKER: Aigisthos to chorus
WHEN: After Klytemestra has killed Agamemnon
DRAMATIC: -shows Aigisthos' cowardice through his unwillingness to seek revenge on his own
THEMATIC: -"don't judge a book"
-strength of women being missplaced, leading to evil?
Term
Who are the main characters in Agamemnon?
Definition
Agamemnon, Klytemestra, Cassandra, Chorus, Watchman
Term
Who are the main characters in the Libation Bearers?
Definition
Orestes, Electra, Pylades, Klytemestra, Cilissa, Aigisthos, Chorus
Term
Who is Orestes?
Definition
Agamemnon and Klytemestra's son
Term
Who is Pylades?
Definition
Orestes' friend
Term
Who is Electra?
Definition
Agamemnon and Klytemestra's daughter
Term
Who is Cilissa?
Definition
Orestes' nurse
Term
How does Electra know her brother visited their father's grave?
Definition
He left locks of his hair
Term
Who, other than Pylades and Electra, helps bring Aigisthos to his death?
Definition
Cilissa, Orestes' former nurse
Term
Who does Orestes kill?
Definition
Klytemestra and Aigisthos
Term
Who curses Orestes?
Definition
The Furies, for killing his mother
Term
1.) “I am a stranger from Daulis in Phokis. I was striding towards Argos, carrying my own gear, just after I'd laced up my boots to come here, when I met a stranger, someone I didn't know. He was asked about my journey and told me of his own. He was Strophius, from Phokis - he told me as we walked. "Stranger," he said, "since you are already bound for Argos, you must remember to tell the parents of Orestes that he is dead. Don't forget! Whether his family will decide to bring him home, or whether they want to bury him there as an alien, a stranger forever, bring their instructions back with you. Right now the sides of a bronze urn conceal the ashes of a man who has been well-lamented." Now I have told you all I heard. Whether I happen to be talking to the lords of the house and his relatives, I don't know - the one who bore him would.”
Definition
PLAY: The Libation Bearers
SPEAKER: Orestes to Klytemestra
DRAMATIC: Advances the play by admitting Orestes into the house, and allowing him the opportunity to kill his mother and Aigisthos
THEMATIC: Power and revenge- moral conflict, manipulation, and how quickly loyalties can change
Term
2.) “I want you all to know that I can’t predict where it will end- I am like a charioteer pulled by his horses from the racetrack. My wits rebel and drag me off into defeat. Near my heart Fear prepares to sing; my heart itself waits to dance to anger’s tune. While I am still lucid, friends, I’ll proclaim it aloud: I say I killed my mother justly; she was polluted with patricide, hated by the gods. The urgings of the prophet at Delphi, Loxian Apollo, were the chief cause of my bold act. He promised me that if I did these things I be innocent of the evil charge, but if I ignored him- I will not speak of the punishment.
Definition
PLAY: The Libation Bearers
SPEAKER: Orestes to chorus
DRAMATIC: Occurs right after the murders, and makes the audience sympathize with Orestes
THEMATIC: Will of the Gods above all, even if it isn't easy
Term
3.) “I pray that some fortune Orestes may come here: here me, father. Grant that I be more chaste than my mother, and have a holier hand. I ask these prayers for us. As for our enemies- Father may your avenger appear to them. Let those who killed you die in return. It is just. This evil curse upon them I insert into the middle of my prayer for good. Be for the bringer of good things, together with the gods above and Earth and triumphant Justice. With these prayers I complete my offerings.”
Definition
PLAY: The Libation Bearers
SPEAKER: Electra to chorus
DRAMATIC: foreshadows action of the play
THEMATIC: justice, patriarchy
Term
Who are the main characters in the Eumenides
Definition
Apollo, Athena, Orestes, Furies, Ghost of Klytemestra
Term
Who is Apollo in the Eumenides?
Definition
God of prophecy- defends Orestes
Term
Who is Athena in the Eumenides?
Definition
Goddess of wisdom- judges Orestes
Term
Who are the Furies?
Definition
Demons from hell who seek vengance for those who have been wronged, particularly in regards to family crimes
Term
How does the play Eumenides start?
Definition
Klytemestra wakes the Furies to tell them to pursue Orestes
Term
1. Sleeping, are you? / What use do I have for sleepers?/ Thanks to you I have been greatly dishonored/ among other spirits of the dead, / The taunts of those I killed ring incessantly among/ the shades,/ and I wander in disgrace. I tell you, / they blame me greatly. / And although I suffered terrible things from my/ family. / no deity is angered on my behalf / even though I was slaughtered by matricidal hands.
Definition
PLAY: The Eumenides
SPEAKER: Ghost of Klytemestra to the Furies
DRAMATIC: Sets off the action of the play
THEMATIC: Justice, gray area between right and wrong
Term
2. I will also make this point; note that I/ speak truly. / The person called “mother” is not a child’s parent; / she is only the “nurse” of a newly sown embryo. / The parent us the male, who mounts; the female is / a stranger / who with divine help preserves a stranger’s offspring. / I will show you proof of this claim. / A father may give birth without a mother --- / witness the child of Olympian Zeus who stands / beside you. / She was not raised in the gloom of the womb, / yet is a child such as no goddess could bring forth.
Definition
PLAY: The Eumenides
SPEAKER: Apollo to Athena
DRAMATIC: contributes to the action by forwarding Orestes' case
THEMATIC: Gender roles, and that loyalty should be to the father, not the mother
Term
2. I will also make this point; note that I/ speak truly. / The person called “mother” is not a child’s parent; / she is only the “nurse” of a newly sown embryo. / The parent us the male, who mounts; the female is / a stranger / who with divine help preserves a stranger’s offspring. / I will show you proof of this claim. / A father may give birth without a mother --- / witness the child of Olympian Zeus who stands / beside you. / She was not raised in the gloom of the womb, / yet is a child such as no goddess could bring forth.
Definition
PLAY: The Eumenides
SPEAKER: Apollo to Athena
DRAMATIC: contributes to the action by forwarding Orestes' case
THEMATIC: Gender roles, and that loyalty should be to the father, not the mother
Term
2. I will also make this point; note that I/ speak truly. / The person called “mother” is not a child’s parent; / she is only the “nurse” of a newly sown embryo. / The parent us the male, who mounts; the female is / a stranger / who with divine help preserves a stranger’s offspring. / I will show you proof of this claim. / A father may give birth without a mother --- / witness the child of Olympian Zeus who stands / beside you. / She was not raised in the gloom of the womb, / yet is a child such as no goddess could bring forth.
Definition
PLAY: The Eumenides
SPEAKER: Apollo to Athena
DRAMATIC: contributes to the action by forwarding Orestes' case
THEMATIC: Gender roles, and that loyalty should be to the father, not the mother
Term
3. Trust me; do not take it so hard. / For you have not been defeated; the vote resulted / in a tie, and truly brought you no dishonor. / On the contrary, you faced clear evidence from / Zeus / and the speaker of the oracle testified / he promised Orestes immunity if he did these deeds. / Do not hurl your heavy rage against this land, / do not be angry, do not cause infertility / by releasing your deep-held venom, / the wild foam that devours seeds. / For I promise you, with full sincerity, / that you shall sit on shining thrones / Beside our altars, underground, / dwelling in this land / Well honored by these citizens.
Definition
PLAY: The Eumenides
SPEAKER: Athena to the audience
DRAMATIC: wraps everything up- gift to the Furies, Orestes' is freed
THEMATIC: sometimes, there is no good choice, but you must listen to what the Gods tell you and it will be alright- Gods freed Orestes and Furies from constraints- could serve to worship Athena
Term
Who are the main characters in Oedipus Tyrannos?
Definition
Oedipus, Jocasta, Creon, Priest, Tiresias, Messengers, Herdsman, Chorus
Term
Where is Oedipus King of?
Definition
Thebes
Term
Who was the King of Thebes before Oedipus?
Definition
Laius
Term
What has been affecting Thebes in the beginning of the play Oedipus Tyrannos?
Definition
A plague
Term
In Oedipus Tyrannos, what does the Oracle at Delphi say must happen for the plague to end?
Definition
The murderer of King Laius must be exiled
Term
a) “Our city, as you can see yourself, is tossed too much, and can no longer lift its head above the troughs of billows red with death. It dies in its fruitful flowers of the soil, it dies in its pastured herds, and in its women’s barren pangs. And the fire-bearing god has swooped upon the city, hateful plague, and he has left the house of Cadmus empty. Black Hades is made rich with moans and weeping”
Definition
PLAY: Oedipus Tyrannos
SPEAKER: Priest to Oedipus
DRAMATIC: describes the dire situation in Thebes, sets tone of the play
THEMATIC: Talks about the turmoil of the city, which will mirror Oedipus' own. he must take on the city's pain
-fate
Term
b) “I say to you, the man whom you have looked for as you pronounced your curses, your decrees on the bloody death of Laius-he is here! A seeming stranger, he shall be shown to be a Theban born though he will take no delight in that solution. Blind, who once could see, a beggar who was rich, through foreign lands he’ll go and point before him with a stick. To his beloved children, he’ll be shown a father who is also brother; to the one who bore him, son and husband; to his father his seed-fellow and killer. Go in and think this out; and if you find I’ve lied, say then I have no prophet’s understanding!” (Lines 454-467)
Definition
PLAY: Oedipus Tyrannos
SPEAKER: Tiresias to Oedipus
DRAMATIC: describes action of play, reveals plot twist
THEMATIC: fate, mercy of prophecy/the gods
Term
c) “Give her who is within what burial you will—you’ll give your own her proper rites; but me—do not condemn my father’s land to have me dwelling here while I’m alive, but let me live on mountains—on Cithaeron famed as mine, for my mother and my father, while they yet lived, made it my destined tomb, and I’ll be killed by whose wished my ruin! And yet I know: no sickness will destroy me, nothing will: I’d never have been saved when left to die unless for some dread evil. Then let my fate continue where it will!” (Lines 1469-1480)
Definition
PLAY: Oedipus Tyrannos
SPEAKER: Oedipus to Creon
DRAMATIC: wraps up play, sets up next play's plot
THEMATIC: Oedipus is forced to see truth
Term
Who are the main characters in Antigone?
Definition
Antigone, Ismene, Creon, Eurydice, Haimon, Tiresias
Term
Who is Antigone?
Definition
Kreon's niece
Term
Who is Ismene?
Definition
Antigone's sister
Term
Who is Eurydice?
Definition
Kreon's wife
Term
Where is Kreon the King?
Definition
Thebes
Term
Who is Haimon?
Definition
Kreon's son, and Antigone's cousin and fiancee
Term
What is the main conflict in Antigone?
Definition
Antigone wants to properly bury her brother, but Kreon won't let her
Term
How does the play Antigone end?
Definition
Antigone hangs herself, Haimon and Eurydice stab themselves
Term
"You must believe me:
Nothing is closer to me than your happiness.
What could be closer? Must not any son
Value his father's fortune as his father does his?
I beg you, do not be unchangeable:
Do not believe that you alone can be right.
The man who thinks that,
The man who maintains that only he has the power
To reason correctly, the gift to speak, the soul -
A man like that, when you know him, turns out empty.
It is not reason never to yield to reason!"
Definition
PLAY: Antigone
SPEAKER: Haimon to Kreon
DRAMATIC: foreshadows that kreon will end up empty and alone
THEMATIC: power, standing up for what is right, kreon's power got to his head and it made everyone kill themselves
Term
"I will carry her far away
Out there in the wilderness, and lock her
Living in a vault of stone. She shall have food,
As the custom is, to absolve the state of her death.
And there let her pray to the gods of hell:
They are her only gods:
Perhaps they will show her an escape from death,
Or she may learn, though late,
That piety shown the dead is pity in vein."
Definition
PLAY: Antigone
SPAKER: Kreon to chorus
DRAMATIC: Kreon won't let Antigone die by his hands
THEMATIC: power
Term
"Then take this, and take it to heart!
The time is not far off when you shall pay back
Corpse for corpse, flesh of your own flesh.
You have thrust the child of this world into living night,
You have kept from the gods below the child that is theirs:
The one in a grave before her death, the other,
Dead, denied the grave. This is your crime:
And the Furies and the dark gods of Hell
Are swift with terrible punishment for you."
Definition
PLAY: Antigone
SPEAKER: Tiresias to Kreon
DRAMATIC: foreshadows deaths of Haimon and Eurydice
Thematic: Civil law vs. divine law
Term
Who are the main characters in Hippolytus?
Definition
Aphrodite, Hippolytus, Phaedra, Nurse, Theseus, Artemis
Term
“I would rather die than ever come to have feelings like yours, dear lady. O miserable women with such sorrows! O troubles that rear mortals! You are ruined; you have revealed your ills to the light. What awaits you in the course of this day? Something terrible will happen to this house."
Definition
PLAY: Hippolytus
SPEAKER: Chorus to Phaedra
DRAMATIC: foreshadows Phaedra's death
THEMATIC: revenge of the Gods- femininty
Term
“O Zeus, why did you send women-a counterfeit coin and a bane for me-to live in the light of the sun? If you wanted to sow a mortal race, you should not have made it come from Women.” Page 103 line 572
Definition
PLAY: Hippolytus
SPEAKER: Hippolytus to "Zeus"
DRAMATIC: reveals Hippolytus' character
THEMATIC: misogyny, gender roles?
Term
"Hippolytus has dared touch my bed by force, dishonouring the sacred eye of Zeus. Now, O my father Poseidon, with one of the three curses that you once promised me, destroy my son, and may he not escape this day, if you really gave me true curses." Pg 108, Line 827
Definition
PLAY: Hippolytus
SPEAKER: Theseus to chorus
DRAMATIC: drives plot by showing Theseus need for revenge on Hippolytus
THEMATIC: betrayal
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