He was the author of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone.
100
Which ancient civilization made tragedy into art?
The ancient Greeks.
100
What is Athens?
A major Greek city where tragedies were produced as part of religious festivals.
100
What are Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonius?
The other two plays in the series with Antigone.
100
True or False: Tragic Heroes are usually some one of noble stature.
True
200
How many of Sophocles plays still exist today?
Only 7 plays still exist out of a total of more than 100.
200
What is the ending for the hero in a Greek tragedy?
Downfall, usually ending with destruction or death.
200
What is the Choral Ode?
The part of a Greek play usually chanted (or sung) in unison.
200
Who were Oedipus'parents?
The King and Queen of Thebes
200
Where were plays usually performed?
Plays were usually performed in vast outdoor amphitheaters that could seat 40,000.
300
What is the nickname of the time period when Sophocles wrote his plays?
It was the "Golden Age" in ancient Greece.
300
What are the emotions inspired by tragedy?
Pity and fear, wonder and awe.
300
What did actors in Greek tragedies wear?
Masks with built-in megaphones and platform shoes.
300
What is the prophecy given to the king and queen of Thebes?
"Your son will kill his father and marry his mother."
300
In Ancient Greek, how is the letter combination "ch" pronounced?
It makes the "k" sound. (never like church)
400
How old was Sophocles when he won his first drama competition?
He was 28 years old.
400
What brought a hero to disaster in Greek tragedy?
A single character flaw, or hamartia.
400
What was the chorus?
A group of actors that moved and sang together, acting as one character.
Set the mood, summarized action, represented a point of view, sided with characters, or warned of disaster.
400
Who was Jocasta?
Both the mother and wife of Oedipus
400
Why did Oedipus' sons, Eteocles and Polynieces, fight and kill each other?
Oedipus left them both the throne and Eteocles refuses to step down.
500
How many actors did Sophocles cast in his play?
3 actors
500
What is catharsis?
Horrible truth that leads to release.
500
What is the Greek word for actor?
Hypokrites
500
What is the decree Creon makes that begins the action of the play?
"Bury Etelocles but not Polyneices"
500
What do tragic heroes usually gain before their downfall?
They gain self-knowledge or understanding before the downfall.