CLAS 1020 Theater Terms

Theatron (cavea)

seating for audience

Orchestra

dancing floor for chorus

Parodos

ramp for chorus' entry and exit

Proscenium

stage

Skene

backdrop

Prologue

announcement of a subject

Parodos

entrance of choruses

Episodes

3 to 6 "acts" (dialogue among soloists) alternating with several stasima

Stasima

choral odes

Strophe

turn

Antistrophe

counter-turn

Kommos

dialogue between actors and chorus

Exodos

exit of chorus

3 unities

time, place, action

Mimesis

imitation

Catharsis

(purification) or negative emotions especially pity or fear

Protagonist

main sufferer

Hubris

arrogant pride

Hamartia

fault, crime, sin

Anagnorisis

recognition

Peripeteia

reversal

Machina

crane