DRAMA: STUDY GUIDE FOR UNIT TEST ON GREEK DRAMA
Be able to list the eight-part organizational structure of a play; AND be able to explain and/or give
examples of each: (Gather audience/ Transition/ Exposition/ Conflict/ Climax/ Denouement Curtain
Call/Criticism)
Be able to list the six components (ingredients) of Drama according to Aristotle; AND be able to define
what each one is:
-
Plot (order of action)
Character (the human figures who undertake the actions of the plot)
Theme (the play’s main message or statement)
Diction (the pronunciation of the dialogue by the characters)
Music (rhythmic or melodic sounds of the play)
Spectacle (the visual aspects of the play)
Be able to draw and label the four parts of a Greek Theater (parodos, skene, orchestra, theatron)
Be able to explain what Thespis introduced to Drama and how this new innovation changed the
structure of Drama. Be specific.
Be able to explain what Sophocles introduced to Drama and how these new innovations changed the
structure of Drama (including the new role of the chorus.) Be specific.
Be able to explain what the Festival of Dionysus was AND detail the play competition by answering the
following: (how many plays per playwright; what kind of plays; who won the most contests; what was
the prize)
Be able to define and explain the differences between Greek Tragedy, Greek Comedy, and Greek Satyr.
Be able to list the Three Unities of Drama, according to Aristotle; also, be able to define the
measurements of each one by using the play Oedipus as an example.
Be able to list the five character traits of a Tragic Hero: (noble; carries a tragic flaw; downfall through
own actions; recognition of downfall; die with honor) by using the character of Oedipus as an example.
Be able to draw a Plot Pyramid and use it to list every plot point of the play Oedipus as reviewed in class.
Be able to identify and analyze significant quotes of dialogue from the play. 1) Must identify the
character who says the dialogue; and 2) detail the significance of the dialogue as it directly relates to the
plot and the characters in the story.
EXAMPLE:
QUOTE: “But I will never go where my parents are!”
ANSWER: Oedipus says this line. He is explaining that he will never go back to his childhood home in
Corinth because he still fears what the oracle told him about killing his father and marrying his mother.
This line is ironic since Oedipus has gone back to where his true parents are (Thebes) and he has already
killed his father and married his mother.
THE LIST OF “POSSIBLE” QUOTES ON THE TEST (you should familiarize yourself with all of them):
“Striking you from both sides the terrible hounds of your mother’s and father’s curse will drive you from
this land; though you see well enough now, then you will be blind.”
“Creon, my friend from the beginning, beguiles me and secretly desires to oust me, engaging this
craftily-working wizard, the tricky beggar, who sees clearly only for profit, but is blind when it comes to
skill.”
“Such things the speeches of seers predict, you should ignore; for whatever the god requires, he himself
will easily reveal.”
“In my anger I struck the driver.”
“Tall, his hair just sprinkled with white hairs like snow, though his figure was not far from yours.”
“If you think a man who does his kinsman ill will not pay the price, you are a fool.”
“What does it matter whom he means? Ignore it. Don’t think about it---it will all end in vain.”
“He was said to be the child of that man (Laius) himself, but your wife could explain the situation best.”
“Equally wretched in your mind and your misfortune, how I wish I had never known you.”
“Know well that I would do this, but first I must learn from the god what must be done.”