Revenge Tragedy Vocab

A set of flashcards covering essential literary terms and concepts relevant to understanding drama and tragedy.

Anagnorisis

Recognition of truth about one's self and his actions; moment of clarity.

Tragic Hero

A literary character who makes an error of judgment or has a fatal flaw that, combined with fate and external forces, brings on a tragedy.

Mercy

Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.

Nihilism

The total rejection of religious or moral beliefs.

Comedy

Light and humorous drama with a happy ending.

Existentialism

A philosophy based on the idea that people give meaning to their lives through their choices and actions.

Tragedy

A play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending, especially one concerning the downfall of the main character.

Reversal

A sudden change in a character's situation.

Moment of Final Suspense

For a brief moment it appears as though the protagonist will actually escape his or her tragic downfall after all.

Fate

A power that is thought to determine the course of events.

Pathos

A quality that evokes pity or sadness.

Free Will

The idea that human beings are free to make their own choices.

Logos

An appeal based on logic or reason.

Hamartia

Excessive pride or self-confidence.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence, which leads to the downfall of the tragic hero.

Catharsis

A release of emotional tension.

Phobos

Fear, flight.

Nemesis

Someone or something a person cannot conquer or achieve; a hated enemy.

Eleos

Compassion or pity.

Humanism (Renaissance)

A Renaissance intellectual movement in which thinkers studied classical texts and focused on human potential and achievements.

Tragic Flaw

A characteristic that leads to the downfall of a tragic hero.