17 Questions
Tragedy is a form of literature that originated in which ancient civilization?
Greek
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a tragic hero according to Aristotle?
Being morally upright
What is hubris in the context of Greek tragedies?
Extreme pride and arrogance
Tragedy is a form of literature that originated in which ancient civilization?
Greek
According to Aristotle, what makes a tragic hero appealing to the audience?
His flaws and imperfections
What is hubris in the context of Greek tragedies?
Extreme pride or arrogance
What does hubris often lead a hero to do in classical Greek tragedies?
Challenge the gods
What is the modern idea of tragedy summarized as?
When bad things happen to good people
What does Aristotle believe brings about the misfortunes of a tragic hero?
Error or frailty
What does a tragic hero represent?
The values and morals of his culture
Who used the elements and structure of Greek tragedy in his novel Things Fall Apart?
Chinua Achebe
Which of the following best describes Okonkwo's reaction to beating his wife during the Week of Peace?
He regretted his actions inwardly but refused to admit his mistake publicly.
Why did Okonkwo believe admitting his mistake publicly was a sign of weakness?
Because he thought it would make him appear weak and feminine.
What was Okonkwo's initial feeling after beating his wife during the Week of Peace?
Remorse and regret.
Why was Okonkwo angry with his youngest wife?
She did not return early enough to cook the afternoon meal
What did Okonkwo's first wife lie about to protect his youngest wife?
That Ojiugo asked her to feed the children before she left
Why did Okonkwo beat his youngest wife when she returned?
Because she violated the Week of Peace
Study Notes
Origins of Tragedy
- Tragedy originated in ancient Greek civilization.
Tragic Hero
- A tragic hero is appealing to the audience because of their nobility and relatability.
- According to Aristotle, a characteristic of a tragic hero is NOT being completely evil or villainous.
- A tragic hero represents humanity and its flaws.
Hubris
- Hubris is excessive pride or arrogance, often leading to a hero's downfall in Greek tragedies.
- Hubris leads a hero to commit mistakes or errors, ultimately causing their misfortunes.
Aristotle's Views
- Aristotle believes that a tragic hero's misfortunes are brought about by their hamartia (error or flaw).
Modern Tragedy
- The modern idea of tragedy is summarized as a heroic individual facing a struggle against overwhelming circumstances.
Literary Influence
- Chinua Achebe used the elements and structure of Greek tragedy in his novel Things Fall Apart.
Okonkwo's Story
- Okonkwo believed admitting his mistake publicly was a sign of weakness.
- Okonkwo's initial feeling after beating his wife during the Week of Peace was shame.
- Okonkwo was angry with his youngest wife because she was lazy and failed to do her duties.
- Okonkwo's first wife lied about his youngest wife's whereabouts to protect her.
- Okonkwo beat his youngest wife when she returned because he believed she was lazy and disobedient.
Test your knowledge of Greek Tragedy and its influence on Chinua Achebe's novel. Explore the unique elements and structure of this ancient form of storytelling while discovering the connections to modern interpretations of tragedy. Challenge yourself with insightful questions and deepen your understanding of the literary world.
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