Practice Quiz Review: Antigone, Aristotle's Rhetoric, Education of Cyrus, The Prince, Coriolanus, and Julius Caesar

Vocabulary terms and definitions based on quiz questions and lecture notes covering Antigone, Aristotle, Xenophon, Machiavelli, and Shakespeare.

Antigone’s modified sentence

She will be interred inside a rocky vault with a short supply of rations.

The law of irreplaceability

The new principle on which Antigone claims to have acted, stating her brother Polyneices is irreplaceable.

Teiresias’ method of interpretation

Interpreting the behavior of birds to understand the will of the gods.

Creon’s response to the prophecy

He gave Polyneices a proper burial and then attempted to free Antigone.

Eurydice’s blame

At the end of the play, she blames Creon for the tragedies that occurred.

Aristotle’s three types of rhetoric

Judicial, Demonstrative, and Deliberative.

Aristotle’s Anger vs. Hate

Anger is directed at individuals, accompanied by pain, and curable over time; hate is directed at types, lacks pain, and is incurable.

Fear of death (Aristotle)

People tend not to fear death because they do not fear things they perceive to be far in the future.

Indignation’s opposite

Pity, which is defined as pain at someone else’s undeserved misfortune.

Magnanimity

A characteristic Aristotle specifically associates with the young.

Cyrus’ leveling of commoners

He gives everyone weapons that allow no one a special advantage, putting commoners on the same level as the peers.

Cyrus’ prize proposal

A proposal supported by Chrysantas and Pheraulas that each soldier be granted prizes according to his virtue.

Cyrus and the Indian delegation

He refuses a fancy robe because he wants to appear before the delegation as quickly as possible.

Tigranes’ argument for the King

One argument used to spare his father is that Cyrus will feel guilty for the rest of his life if he kills him.

Peace between Armenians and Chaldaeans

Established by letting Armenians graze sheep in the mountains, letting Chaldaeans work the soil, and hiring Chaldaeans as mercenaries.

Araspas’ repayment

He becomes a double agent to learn about the enemy’s plans as repayment for threatening Panthea.

Cyrus’ horse incident

During the battle with the Egyptians, his horse throws him, but his men immediately save him.

The happiest life (Croesus)

According to Croesus, his wife has the happiest life.

Panthea’s consolation

Cyrus offers her beautiful adornments for Abradatas’ body after his death.

Eunuch bodyguards

Chosen by Cyrus because they lack romantic/parental distractions, are loyal as outcasts, and are strong.

Machiavelli’s ruler perspective

He states that being a member of the lower classes is essential to understanding the behavior of rulers.

Hereditary vs. Mixed principalities

According to Machiavelli, a hereditary principality is easier to rule than a mixed principality.

Ruling diverse states

Machiavelli recommends sending colonies to settle in states with different languages, customs, and institutions.

King Louis’ mistakes in Lombardy

He strengthened the Church, shared power with Spain, and failed to live in the conquered territory of Italy.

France (state type)

Characterized by Machiavelli as a state that is easy to seize but hard to hold.

Machiavelli’s military advice

Princes should rely on their own forces to remain as self-reliant as possible.

Machiavelli’s intention

His stated goal in writing 'The Prince' is to write something useful.

Generosity in a prince

Deemed acceptable when becoming a ruler, spending the wealth of others, or marching with an army.

Feared vs. Loved

Machiavelli argues it is better to be feared because fear of punishment is a stronger motivator than love.

Most important princely quality

The quality of religion, or the appearance of being religious.

The best fortress

According to Machiavelli, it is not being hated by one’s subjects.

Three types of brains

One that understands for itself, one that follows others' explanations, and one that does neither.

Bad advisor status

A counselor is considered bad if he is always seeking to benefit himself.

Machiavelli’s fortune metaphor

He compares fortune to a rushing river.

Approach to fortune

Princes are advised to approach fortune boldly rather than cautiously.

Caius Martius and Aufidius

In Act 1, both leave their brawl alive, and Aufidius vows to defeat Martius eventually.

Volumnia’s reaction to wounds

She gleefully thanks the gods upon hearing Coriolanus was wounded in battle.

Valor is the chiefest virtue

Line spoken by Cominius during a speech to the Senate praising Coriolanus.

Gown of Humility ceremony

Coriolanus promises a citizen he will show his wounds in private, but he never actually does.

Coriolanus’ consensus outcome

The plebs initially ratify him, but Brutus and Sicinius later persuade them to revoke their votes.

Coriolanus' specific request

He asks Cominius for the freedom of a Volscian associate who was recently taken captive.

Tarpeian rock

The cliff off which Sicinius initially suggests throwing Coriolanus as punishment for treason.

Volumnia’s tactical advice

She advises Coriolanus to let his brain direct his heart and use craftiness in peace just as in war.

Coriolanus’ trial result

He is banished from Rome.

Importance of recruiting Brutus

His noble reputation ensures the public sees the assassination of Caesar as virtue rather than crime.

Brutus’ resolve

Strengthened when he receives an anonymous letter urging him to wake up and assist Rome.

Brutus’ overrides

He rejects the suggestions to swear an oath, include Cicero, or kill Mark Antony.

Portia’s plea

She argues that through marriage vows they are one person and she should share in his troubles.

Decius Brutus

The conspirator who persuades Caesar to go to the Capitol by reinterpreting Calphurnia's bad dream.

Cassius’ death

He dies by suicide using the same sword he used to stab Caesar.

Brutus’ death

Despite previously calling suicide 'cowardly,' he chooses to take his own life at the end of the play.

The noblest Roman of them all

Mark Antony’s description of Brutus after finding his corpse.

Portia’s death revelations

First revealed by Brutus to Cassius; second revealed by Messala to Brutus.