Festival of Dionysus
Name THREE things Dionysus is worshiped for in Greek mythology
Grape harvest, wine/wine making, ritual madness, fertility, theatre, religious ecstasy
What is the name of the first “actor” of Greek drama?
Thespis
Name the (3) types of Greek plays
comedy, satyr, tragedy
Why did Sophocles eventually stop acting in his own plays?
He had a very weak voice
Provide a definition of “dramatic irony”
When the audience knows something in the play that the characters do not
How many playwrights had their plays performed during the three day festival?
THREE
What is the shape of the Greek theatre?
Semi-circle
What is the purpose of a satyr play?
Comic dramas (they were short plays performed between tragedies and made fun of the tragedy’s characters)
Name (2) accomplishments Sophocles is credited for in developing Greek drama
Ending the tradition of writing trilogies, introduced painted background scenery, changed the number of speaking actors from two to three, and enlarged the chorus from 12 to 15 men
What does “Oedipus” translate as? Why is It an appropriate name for him?
“swollen foot” due to his legs being pinned together
Why are satyrs (and satyr) plays often connected to the Festival of Dionysus?
Dionysus was raised by the half-human, half-goat creatures
Name one purpose of the chorus in a Greek play
To set the atmosphere of the play and for comic relief
How is tragedy cathartic?
It cleanses the heart through pity and terror and purges us of our petty concerns and worries by making us aware that there can be nobility in suffering
Besides being an accomplished playwright, name two other occupations Sophocles had in his lifetime
An ordained priest, served on the Board of Generals, a committee that administered civil and military affairs in Athens, and for a time he was the director of the Treasury
Name Oedipus’ REAL parents as well as the name of his adoptive parents
Laius and Jocasta (REAL)
Polybus and Merope (Adoptive)
What is the name of Dionysus’s mortal mother?
Semele
What is the purpose of deus ex machina?
A divine figure who wrapped up any loose ends at the close
Which playwright won the most blue ribbons?
Sophocles
How old was Sophocles when he won first prize for tragic drama?
28
Oedipus becomes the king of which city?
Thebes
For the Festival of Dionysus, how many tragedies did each playwright have to submit?
Four (3 tragedies in the form of a trilogy and one satyr)
Actors would wear very elaborate costumes and a strange looking sole called a buskin on the bottom of their shoes. How many inches high were the buskin and why did they were them?
Six inches and to look taller and more impressive
Why did the Greek competition eventually end?
The Spartans overran Athens
Sophocles’ widespread reputation helped him get invitations from the foreign rulers to attend court. How many did he accept?
NONE
What is the Riddle of the Sphinx and what is Oedipus’ answer?
What is the creature that walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three in the evening?
the answer: man