Introduction to Greek Tragedy

The core purpose of Greek tragedy is to confront and explore human suffering and misery without shying away from it. It is a form of art that directly addresses pain and difficult emotions.

The ability of Greek tragedy to resonate across cultures and time periods due to its exploration of universal themes.

A main subject or idea that is explored in a piece of art, literature, or performance. Like love, loss, or betrayal.

The ability to go beyond limits or boundaries. It's like rising above something or being more important than something else.

A real or imagined line that indicates an edge or limit. It can be physical, metaphorical, or conceptual.

To stare at something for a long time with wide-open eyes. It's often done when surprised, frightened, or thinking deeply.

To make a sudden, small movement in response to pain or fear, like flinching away from a sharp noise.

Not afraid of or avoiding something unpleasant or stressful.

A powerful metaphor for death in ancient Greek tragedy, it suggests a final separation from the world of light and life.

The underworld, a place of darkness and mystery beneath the earth, where the dead reside in Greek mythology.

A fixed element at the beginning of a Greek tragedy that sets the stage and introduces the main characters.

A choral song or poem that provides commentary on the events of the play and allows for time to pass.

The characters in Greek tragedy often engage with the dead, revealing their connection to the past.

The Greek tragedians were innovative in their structure, developing plots that unfold within a single day.

Ancient Greek tragedians skillfully packed a lot of action into one day.

The impact of Greek tragedies' single-day structure has influenced the way plays are written even today.

A style or category of art, literature, or music that has a specific set of characteristics.

To present something in a particular style, emphasizing certain aspects and characteristics.

A group of actors in ancient Greek plays who commented on the action and interacted with the characters.

A type of poem or song praising a person, event, or idea.

To give an opinion or explanation about something.

A skilled and clever way of presenting information or solving a problem.

To untie or unravel a mystery or problem by revealing the truth.

Enabling someone to do something; making them capable of performing an action.

The act of thinking deeply and carefully about a subject. It also refers to the image reflected in a mirror.

In Greek tragedy, a tragic outcome that is bleak and hopeless, leaving the audience with no happy ending.

To remove something that is unpleasant or harmful, to cleanse and purify.

A term used in ancient Greek literature to describe the purging of emotions through art, particularly tragedy. It aims to cleanse the audience of their passions and potentially harmful emotions, helping them achieve a more balanced state.

Overconfidence, arrogance, or excessive pride, often leading to downfall in tragic literature. It refers to a character's inflated sense of self-importance.

In tragedy, the belief that human actions contribute to their own woes, often resulting from their mistakes or choices.

A central theme in Greek tragedy that highlights the inherent flaws and limitations of human existence, demonstrating how human beings are subject to unforeseen circumstances and inevitable misfortunes. It reflects the concept that life is inherently uncertain and difficult.

A modern form of entertainment, like soap operas, with elements similar to Greek Tragedy - intense family drama, conflict, and forbidden relationships.

The main character in a Greek play, often a respected person who has a tragic downfall due to their own flaws.

Strong female characters who hold significant power and influence within a family or community.

The core purpose of Greek Tragedy is to confront and explore human suffering and misery without shying away from it. It is a form of art that directly addresses pain and difficult emotions.

The ability of Greek tragedy to resonate across cultures and time periods due to its exploration of universal themes like love, loss, revenge, and fate.

Ancient Greek plays, often with a focus on a single individual or family, exploring themes of fate, destiny, and the consequences of human actions.

An ancient Greek playwright who was famous for his tragedies, like Oedipus Rex and Antigone.

The term "for good" in English signifies permanently or forever, indicating that something has permanently ceased or will never happen again.

In the context of literature, a tragic worldview refers to a pessimistic outlook on life that emphasizes suffering, misfortune, and the inevitability of death. It often lacks hope for redemption or ultimate happiness.

The concept of divine justice refers to the belief that a higher power or deity oversees and judges human actions, ensuring that good is rewarded and evil punished.

A bitransitive indirect verb is constructed with a direct object (COD) and an indirect object (COI), where the action affects both directly and indirectly.

''For'' as a conjunction of cause, similar to 'because', indicates a reason or justification for what follows.

A bleak outlook in literature suggests a lack of hope, optimism, and joy, often characterized by themes of despair, suffering, and futility.