The Bacchae
When was the Bacchae first performed?
405 BC
When was Oedipus the King first performed?
429 BC
When was Women at the Thesmophoria first performed?
411 BC
When was Medea first performed?
431 BC
When was Frogs first performed?
405 BC
What supernatural signs follow Dionysus' imprisonment? Name 2.
- Earthquakes
- Fire appears on the tomb of Semele
What causes Oedipus and Creon to quarrel?
- Tiresias tells Oedipus - "you are the corruption of the land"
- Oedipus believes Creon set him up, to try and steal the throne.
How does Euripides enter the stage while dressed as Perseus? Why is this funny?
- By mechane
- It parodies Euripides use of the mechane in his plays, to produce a 'Deus Ex Machina'
Who is Aegeus? What role does he play in Medea?
- King of Athens
- Offers to house Medea - he wants her to help his wife conceive a child
How do Dionysus and Xanthius' journeys across the Styx differ?
- Dionysus is ferried by Charon
- Xanthius walks
Who says, "Oh, my old father, it has been decided; we are miserable exiles!"
Agave
Who says, "Look, here he is, my fine old friend-the same man who was just a baby then."
Messenger
Who says, "My dears, I come as a friend. I do assure you - look at my cheeks! I adore you all - you do resemble me so very very closely."
Cleisthenes
Who says, "I fear you. Why wrap up the truth? I fear that you may do my daughter some irreparable harm."
Creon
Who says, "So my first question concerns Alcibiades. What advice do each of you have about him? The city's in a mess."
Dionysus
Describe both vases associated with the Bacchae.
Douris Cup - Death of Pentheus
Maenad Stamnos (Dinos Painter) - Bacchic Ritual
Describe the vase associated with Oedipus the King. Name all the characters which feature on it.
Capodarso Fragment (by the Capodarso Painter) - shows Messenger, Oedipus, and Jocasta + Antigone and Ismene
Describe the WATT vase. Make 4 points
Red-figure Bell Krater (by the Schiller Painter) - wineskin scene
- Wineskin, knife, mirror, bowl
- Altar
- Mnesilochus, Woman
- Masks / wig / costumes
Name at least 4 of the figures on the Medea escape vase.
Medea, Jason, 2 furies, 2 sons, tutor, nurse
Describe 2 comedy vases (not including the WATT vase)
- Perseus dance vase
- Choregos vase (1 tragic actor + 3 comic actors)
- Black figure chous - chorus members as birds
- Cheiron vase (McDaniel Painter)
What miracle do the Bacchants perform with the thyrsi?
They strike the ground and summon water, wine, and milk.
What revelation leads Oedipus to say, "why scan the birds that scream above our heads?"
King Polybus had died.
What deal doe Euripides make with the women at the end of the play?
- He promises not to slander them any more
- He threatens that he will tell their husbands what they've been up to if they don't let him go
How does Medea persuade Jason to let the children deliver the gifts?
She pretends to change her mind, claiming she now accepts the marriage and wants Glauce to care for the children.
Why does Dionysus choose Aeschylus over Euripides?
He gives better advice for saving Athens