On the Art of Poetry
Who wrote On the Art of Poetry?
Aristotle
Who is the author of The Oresteian Trilogy?
Aeschylus
Who wrote The Theban Tragedies?
Sophocles
Who guides Oedipus on his blind wanderings through the countryside?
Antigone
Who becomes King of Thebes after Eteocles?
Creon
When did the author of On the Art of Poetry live?
384-322 B.C.
In what battle and war did the author of The Oresteian Trilogy fight?
The Battle of Marathon of the Persian Wars
When did the author of The Theban Tragedies live?
496-406 B.C.
What city is Oedipus approaching as Oedipus at Colonus begins?
Athens
What happened to the two sons of Oedipus?
Eteocles, who was ruling at the time, was challenged by Polynices. They killed each other.
What one word does the author of On the Art of Poetry use to describe poetry in general terms?
Imitation (or representation)
Name the plays contained in The Oresteian Trilogy.
Agamemnon, The Choephori (The Libation Bearers), and The Eumenides.
What are the three plays that make up The Theban Tragedies?
Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone.
At the beginning of Oedipus at Colonus, Oedipus is seeking sanctuary on the ground sacred to which gods?
The Eumenides/The Furies
What is Creon’s edict regarding the former ruler of Thebes?
That Eteocles' body be buried with a formal funeral, while Polynices be left unburied.
Both tragedy and comedy had their first beginnings in what?
Improvisation
When did the author of The Oresteian Trilogy live?
525-456 B.C.
What does the name Oedipus mean?
"Swollen-foot"
Who comes to Oedipus with news of a prophecy, and of his sons?
Ismene
Why does Antigone refuse to let the body of Polynices remain unburied?
The duty of the living to bury the dead is part of a higher law than that of Creon’s edict. Antigone must fulfill it so that Polynices can truly be at rest, and to render him due honor. Here we see a conflict between eartly law and divine law.
What are the two most important means by which tragedy plays on our feelings?
Reversals and Recognitions
With whom is Clytemnestra being unfaithful?
Aegisthos
Where was Oedipus raised?
Corinth
What is the prophecy concerning the blinded Oedipus?
Whoever possesses Oedipus, either alive or dead, will secure power at Thebes and will “grow to greatness.”
What does Creon suspect that the one who buried Polynices is trying to do?
Creon suspects that "he" is trying to start a rebellion.