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Study Guide Answers

1.     In ancient Greece, theatrical performances were related to the practice of ________________________________________________________.
     religious rituals
2.     What were the "Greek festivals"?
     celebrations honoring Greek gods
3.     What eventually became an important part of the Greek festivals?
     the performance of plays
4.     What did the plays try to teach the audience members?
     proper reverence for the gods/ loyalty and respect for both the family and the city-state
5.     Who was Dionysus?
     the Greek god of wine and song
6.     In Greek tragedies, how do the characters attain knowledge of the world and of life?
     through incredible suffering
7.     Audience members hoped that the characters in a tragedy would experience great misery. True or false?
     true
8.     What is a "catharsis"?
     a purging of emotions
9.     In the early days of Greek theatre, there were no actors. True or false?
     true
10.     What was the purpose of the "chorus" in early Greek plays?
     They recited the lines of the play and sang and danced.
11.     Who was Thespis?
     The first Greek actor, he was also a playwright.
12.     Thespian is another word for "__________________________."
     actor
13.     The two components of the Greek word, hypocrite mean what, literally?
     mask/ to reply
14.     To whom did the hypocrite reply?
     to the chorus
15.     During the height of the age of the Greek tragedy, none of the plays featured more than __________________________ speaking actors.
     three
16.     Female actors played all of the roles. True or false?
     false/ Only men were allowed to be actors.
17.     Greek actors always wore ____________________________.
     masks
18.     Of what were the masks that were worn by Greek actors constructed?
     linen, wood, leather, hair
19.     Tragedy is derived from Greek words that mean "____________________________________."
     goat-song
20.     What is a protagonist?
     the main character (hero) of the play
21.     Tragedies are known for what type of outcome?
     a sad ending
22.     What was the purpose of a "prologue"?
     The "prologue" provided essential background, to help the audience understand the action.
23.     What were episodes?
     sections of dialogue
24.     Episodes eventually became known as "_____________________________."
     scenes
25.     What was the final component of the tragic play?
     the exodus
26.     What was a komos?
     a community party during which all social rules and inhibitions were set aside
27.     What kind of costumes, in particular, were donned during a komos?
     animal costumes
28.     What word finds its origin in the Greek word, komos?
     "comedy"
29.     In a Greek comedy, the protagonist usually reached his goal. True or false?
     true
30.     Why were Greek theaters constructed on sloping hillsides?
     to provide terraced seating
31.     Theaters were often located in or near ___________________________________.
     sanctuaries
32.     The word, orchestra means "_________________________________________."
     dancing space
33.     The audience sat in the "_____________________________________."
     theatron
34.     The temporary building behind the stage was the "________________________________."
     skene
35.     Where did actors make costume changes?
     in the skene
36.     Circular entry pathways were the "_______________________________."
     paradoi
37.     Playwrights were also called "________________________________."
     poets
38.     Who was the first playwright whose plays still remain?
     Aeschylus
39.     Whom do many believe to have been the greatest ancient Greek playwright?
     Sophocles
40.     What did Euripides contribute to the Greek drama?
     complex plots/ the use of suspense/ increased focus on dialogue
41.     How did Euripides make a radical departure from the approach of other playwrights of his era?
     He wrote about true human problems rather than about fate or divine power.
42.     Who wrote Antigone?
     Sophocles
43.     Who wrote ?dipus Rex?
     Sophocles
44.     Who wrote Medea?
     Euripides
45.     Who wrote Prometheus Bound?
     Aeschylus
© Educational Video Network, Inc. 2005 - www.evndirect.com
Your leading source for curriculum-based educational videos and DVDs.