Characters
the tragic hero of the play
Oedipus
excessive pride or self-confidence
hubris
building behind the playing area used for changing of masks and costumes
skene
Oedipus lived most of his life here
Corinth
hints or clues about what will happen later in a story
foreshadowing
Blind prophet Oedipus consults
Tiresias
a tragic flaw
hamartia
tiered seating area built into the hillside in the shape of a horseshoe
theatron
Oedipus solves this monster's riddle
sphinx
when the audience knows something the characters do not know
dramatic irony
Oedipus' wife/mother
Jocasta
critical movement of recognition or discovery
anagnorsis
group of actors who moved and sang together
chorus
Oedipus is King of this city
Thebes
a statement that seems contradictory but is actually true
paradox
Oedipus's brother-in-law/uncle
Creon
purging of emotions or relieving of emotional tensions
catharsis
"dancing place" where chorus sang to audience
orchestra
Oedipus's adoptive father
Polybus
a recurrent image, symbol, theme, character
motif
Oedipus's daughter who wants to bury both of her dead brothers
Antigone
sudden or unexpected reversal of circumstance or situation
peripetia
entrance affording access to either stage or orchestra
parodos
Oedipus' real father
Laius
a sudden realization
epiphany