Classics 1101 OSU Midterm Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Who is the author of the Odyssey?

Sophocles

Euripides

Aeschylus

Homer (correct)

Who is the author of Agamemnon and Eumenides?

Aeschylus

Who wrote Oedipus the King and Antigone?

Sophocles

Name the author of Medea, Trojan Women, Helen, Hippolytus, and Bacchae.

Euripides Signup and view all the answers

Catharsis is a release of ______.

emotional tension Signup and view all the answers

Who is Ismene?

Antigone's sister Signup and view all the answers

Who is Tiresias?

Blind prophet who advised Odysseus Signup and view all the answers

Miasma refers to ______ guilt.

blood Signup and view all the answers

What does ecphrasis describe?

Description of artwork or something in nature as if it was artwork Signup and view all the answers

What is hamartia?

An error in judgment Signup and view all the answers

Peripeteia is a reversal of ______.

fortune Signup and view all the answers

Define apostrophe in literature.

Address to a character by the narrator Signup and view all the answers

Who is Aristophanes?

An ancient Greek dramatist remembered for his comedies Signup and view all the answers

Aidos is a sense of ______.

shame Signup and view all the answers

What does agon refer to in Greek tragedy?

Contest, rhetorical debate Signup and view all the answers

A simile is a comparison using or .

like, as Signup and view all the answers

Ring composition refers to a story that starts and ends with the ______ thing.

same Signup and view all the answers

What is an epithet?

A descriptive name or phrase Signup and view all the answers

What is a folktale motif?

Exists in stories on its own Signup and view all the answers

What is the Homeric catalogue?

A list that allows for things to enter into the poem Signup and view all the answers

What does the Homeric paradigm refer to?

Something you should do Signup and view all the answers

What is a Homeric dream?

Can be a way for gods to get message across to mortal Signup and view all the answers

What is a Homeric omen?

A sign of something about to happen Signup and view all the answers

Define formula in the context of literature.

A set phrase Signup and view all the answers

What does anomia mean?

'Without law or custom' Signup and view all the answers

What is Aeolia?

A floating island home of Aeolus, king of the winds Signup and view all the answers

Who is Circe?

The beautiful witch-goddess who transforms Odysseus's crew into swine Signup and view all the answers

Define supplication.

The action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly Signup and view all the answers

What does xenia refer to?

The relationship between guest and host Signup and view all the answers

Who is Agamemnon?

King (of Mycenae) and leader of Greek forces Signup and view all the answers

Who is Clytemnestra?

Wife of Agamemnon that betrays him Signup and view all the answers

Who is Nausicaa?

The beautiful daughter of King Alcinous and Queen Arete Signup and view all the answers

Who is Aeolus?

God of the winds Signup and view all the answers

What does Nekuia refer to?

Visit to the Underworld Signup and view all the answers

What is hubris?

Excessive pride or self-confidence Signup and view all the answers

Who is Anticleia?

Mother of Odysseus Signup and view all the answers

What does aidos signify?

Shame or something to be ashamed of Signup and view all the answers

What does anomos mean?

Lawless Signup and view all the answers

What are sirens?

Creatures whose songs lure sailors to their deaths Signup and view all the answers

Who is Elpenor?

One of Odysseus' crew, killed in an accident Signup and view all the answers

Who is Eurycleia?

Odysseus's old nurse Signup and view all the answers

Who is Melanthius?

A treacherous and opportunistic goatherd Signup and view all the answers

What is anagnorisis?

Recognition or discovery on the part of the hero Signup and view all the answers

Define myth.

A traditional story about gods, ancestors, or heroes Signup and view all the answers

What is an omen?

A sign of something about to happen Signup and view all the answers

Define dramatic tension.

The state or quality of being undecided, uncertain, or doubtful Signup and view all the answers

What is a parados?

Entrance of the chorus Signup and view all the answers

What is skene?

Stage Signup and view all the answers

What is an enkuklema?

Characters are always killed off stage Signup and view all the answers

What does mechane refer to?

A crane that could fly actors in over the skene Signup and view all the answers

What does prosopon mean?

Mask Signup and view all the answers

Define suspension of disbelief.

A willingness to suspend one's critical faculties and believe the unbelievable Signup and view all the answers

What is a dithyramb?

Hymn sung in honor of the god Signup and view all the answers

What does agon mean?

Contest, struggle Signup and view all the answers

What does palintonos harmonia refer to?

Light-heartedness amidst sorrow Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by escape tragedies?

Rescue of a woman in an exotic location Signup and view all the answers

What is a palinode?

Retraction of what you said Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Authors

Homer: Renowned for composing the "Odyssey," an epic poem central to Greek literature.
Aeschylus: Playwright known for works such as "Agamemnon" and "Eumenides," foundational to Greek tragedy.
Sophocles: Author of significant tragedies including "Oedipus the King" and "Antigone," emphasizing moral dilemmas.
Euripides: Notable for plays like "Medea" and "Trojan Women," challenging traditional themes and portraying complex characters.

Literary Concepts

Catharsis: Emotional release experienced by audiences during dramatic performances, pivotal in Greek theater.
Ecphrasis: Artistic description that enhances narrative by likening natural or artistic scenes to artwork.
Hamartia: A term indicating a tragic flaw or error in judgment, exemplified by Oedipus's ignorance of his own lineage.
Peripeteia: A sudden reversal of fortune, often observed in Greek tragedies, altering characters' fates.
Anagnorisis: A moment of critical recognition, where a character transitions from ignorance to knowledge.
Xenia: The ancient Greek code of hospitality defining the relationship between guests and hosts.

Character Identification

Ismene: Sister of Antigone, symbolizing conformity and the struggle between familial duty and societal law.
Tiresias: A blind prophet offering wisdom to Odysseus, representing knowledge despite physical blindness.
Agamemnon: King of Mycenae and leader of the Greek forces during the Trojan War, pivotal in several Greek tragedies.
Clytemnestra: Agamemnon’s wife who betrays him, representing themes of revenge and female agency.
Nausicaa: The Phaeacian princess who aids Odysseus, embodying kindness and the ideal of hospitality.
Elpenor: A member of Odysseus’s crew who dies tragically; reflects the theme of loss and mortality.

Mythological Terms

Hubris: Excessive pride that often leads to a character's downfall in Greek narratives.
Miasma: The pollution resulting from wrongful actions, particularly homicide, creating moral and spiritual ramifications.
Sirens: Mythical beings whose enchanting songs lead sailors to their demise, symbolizing temptation and danger.

Theatrical Elements

Parados: The entrance of the chorus in a Greek tragedy, setting the tone for the performance.
Skene: The backdrop structure in Greek theater, serving as a stage and connection to the narrative.
Dithyramb: A hymn dedicated to Dionysus, emphasizing ritualistic connections to theater and the divine.
Prosopon: The masks used by actors in Greek theater, allowing for the portrayal of different characters.

Narrative Devices

Ring Composition: A literary structure where a story begins and ends with similar elements, creating cohesion.
Formula: Recurring phrases or structures in epic poetry, enriching the storytelling experience.
Folktale Motif: Recurring narrative patterns found in stories, such as the archetype of the hero rescuing a princess.

Additional Concepts

Suspension of Disbelief: The audience's willingness to accept and engage with fantastical elements of the narrative.
Aidos: A cultural principle signifying moral behavior and a sense of shame, influencing heroic actions and societal expectations.
Palinode: A retraction of previous statements, often used in poetry or narrative to express regret or change in perspective.

Contextual Themes

Escape Tragedies: A genre depicting women rescuing themes in adventurous and exotic settings, focusing on heroism and romance.
Palintonos Harmonia: The notion of maintaining light-heartedness amidst sorrow, reflecting the complexity of human emotions in narratives.
Anomia: Denotes a state of lawlessness, typically reflected in the behavior of mythical figures like the Cyclopes.

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Description

Prepare for your Classics 1101 midterm with these flashcards covering key authors and concepts from ancient literature. Each card highlights important figures like Homer, Aeschylus, and Sophocles, along with essential definitions such as catharsis. Test your knowledge and ensure you're ready for the exam!