Theatre History Study Guide for Exam #1

What was the name of the circular performance space in Ancient Greek theatres?

A) Skene

B) Theatron

C) Orchestra

D) Parodos

Orchestra

2. Which of the following was a famous Ancient Greek tragedian?

A) Aristophanes

B) Plautus

C) Euripides

D) Terence

Euripides

3. What role did the chorus typically play in Greek theatre?

A) Provided comic relief through slapstick

B) Changed scenery between acts

C) Commented on the action and themes

D) Directed the actors from offstage

Commented on the action and themes

4. What theme is most commonly associated with Greek tragedies?

A) Time travel

B) Hubris and downfall (excessive pride and self-confidence)

C) Economic reform

D) Romantic comedy

B) Hubris and downfall

Which festival was primarily associated with dramatic performances in Athens?

City Dionysia

What was the skene in a Greek theatre?

A) The entry passage used by the chorus

B) The altar to Dionysus

C) The stage building behind the orchestra

D) The seating area for spectators

The stage building behind the orchestra

7. Which of the following best describes Old Comedy?

A) Silent performance without dialogue

B) Based on myths and heroic legends

C) Focused on domestic tragedies

D) Used satire to mock public figures and events

D) Used satire to mock public figures and events

Which of the following is the correct order of parts in a Greek tragedy?

A) Exodus → Parodos → Episode → Stasimon

B) Parodos → Prologue → Episode → Exodus

C) Prologue → Parodos → Episodes → Exodus

D) Stasimon → Exodus → Parodos → Episode

C) Prologue → Parodos → Episodes → Exodus

What is the prologue in Greek theatre?

an introductory speech or scene at the beginning of a play, often delivered by a single actor, provides background information to set up the conflict

What is the parodos in Greek theatre?

entrance of the chorus with the opening choral ode

What is the episodes in Greek theatre?

scenes - the main action of the play

What is exodus in Greek theatre?

action after the last stasimon, final scene

What is the stasima?

Final choral odes

What was the scaenae frons in Roman theatre architecture?

A) The area where the chorus performed

B) The ornate backdrop and stage building

C) The entry passage for actors

D) The underground trapdoor system

The ornate backdrop and stage building

2. Who is considered one of the most important Roman comic playwrights?

A) Sophocles

B) Aeschylus

C) Plautus

D) Euripides

D) Euripides

3. What was a major difference between Roman and Greek theatres?

A) Roman theatres were always temporary

B) Roman theatres were built into hillsides

C) Roman theatres were freestanding structures

D) Roman theatres did not use masks

C) Roman theatres were freestanding structures

4. What type of plays did Seneca write?

A) Satirical comedies

B) Pantomimes

C) Tragedies

D) Religious epics

C) Tragedies

5. What was the pulpitum in a Roman theatre?

A) The stage on which actors performed

B) The audience seating area

C) A dressing room for performers

D) The chorus' performance zone

A) The stage on which actors performed

6. Which of the following were characteristics of Roman comedy?

A) Use of chorus and religious themes

B) Complex psychological characters

C) Stock characters and mistaken identity

D) Lack of physical humor

Stock characters and mistaken identity

7. How did Roman theatre often differ in tone from Greek theatre?

A) It focused more on religious devotion

B) It was more realistic and serious

C) It emphasized spectacle and entertainment

D) It avoided political commentary

It emphasized spectacle and entertainment

8. What was the cavea in Roman theatre?

A) The area beneath the stage

B) The stage curtain

C) The orchestra pit

D) The tiered seating area for spectators

D) The tiered seating area for spectators

. What performance form became especially popular in later Roman theatre?

A) Epic poetry

B) Religious ritual

C) Pantomime

D) Classical tragedy

C) Pantomime

10. What purpose did Roman theatre serve in society?

A) Solely for religious ritual

B) A tool for moral education and worship

C) Civic entertainment and political distraction

D) Military strategy and planning

C) Civic entertainment and political distraction

1. Which ancient treatise is considered the foundational text of Sanskrit theatre?

A) Arthashastra

B) Natya Shastra

C) Rig Veda

D) Mahabharata

Natya Shastra

2. Who is traditionally credited as the author of the Natya Shastra?

A) Kalidasa

B) Bhasa

C) Bharata

D) Valmiki

C) Bharata

3. What is the term used in Sanskrit theatre to refer to the emotional flavor or aesthetic

experience evoked in the audience?

A) Rasa

B) Tala

C) Mudra

D) Bhava

Rasa

4. Which of the following was a common feature of classical Sanskrit drama performances?

A) Use of elaborate scenery and realistic sets

B) Performance on open-air circular stages with minimal scenery

C) Exclusive use of female performers

D) Strict avoidance of music and dance

Use of elaborate scenery and realistic sets

Name one common characteristic that persists amongst Greek, Roman, and Sanskrit Theatre?

• Originating in religion/religious rituals + details of that

• Emotional release (rasa (Sanskrit), catharsis (Greek), maintaining society (romans)

• All built constructive theatres

• All employed costumes and masks

Give three examples of how Roman Theatre borrowed from Greek Theatre.

• Costumes, Masks

• Rewrote the same stories Sophecles wrote and rewritten by Platus

• Early theatres were hillside

• Festivals were on a cycle and annual with devolution to a god

 What Role does language play in Ancient Greek Society? Why is it important to theatre?

• How one preserve sculture

• High literacy rates

• More playwrights that can emerge from a variety of social classes

• Civic investment in theatre because they were educational and constructive

 Choose either Greek, Roman or Sanskrit Theatre and briefly explain how religion plays a role in their drama.

• Greek: an alter always on stage where they would slaughter animals, make offerings

• Roman: alter built nearby and the theatre was connected to a God (in Rome, it is Apollo)

• Sanskrit: moral storytelling borrowed from the Mahabharata

What is the shape of Sanskrit stages?

Square

What is Ludi?

ancient Roman public games and theatrical performances

Natya Shaastra

foundational text in understanding ancient drama

What is a satyr play?

an ancient Greek comedic form of theatre, a burlesque with a chorus of satyrs (half-man, half-horse or goat creatures)

A Roman playwright famous for his graphic and sensational plays, which were filled with violence, gore, and psychological horror. He is known for amping up the violent and disturbing elements of the Greek tragedies he drew from, often through the use of vivid and lengthy descriptions. He had characters moved by emotions and internal struggle

Seneca

How is Seneca different from Greek tragedians?

more on-stage violence and more psychological depth within characters

Catharsis

the purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, primary function of the tragedy

Known as the first actor in theatre history, but also a writer, who was this figure?

Thespis

What form of theatre grew out of Sanskrit theatre?

Kathakali

Which statement best describes the main difference between Plautus and Terence’s comedies?

Plautus focused on harsh humor with slapstick, stock characters, and themes of prostitutes and pimps, while Terence emphasized empathy and psychological depth in his characters.

Which of the following best describes Oedipus in Oedipus Rex?

The king of Thebes who unknowingly fulfills a tragic prophecy

Who is Jocasta in Oedipus Rex?

The Queen of Thebes and wife of Oedipus, later revealed to be his mother

What role does Creon play in Oedipus Rex?

Jocasta’s brother who becomes king after Oedipus’s downfall

Why is Tiresias significant in Oedipus Rex?

He is the blind prophet who reveals that Oedipus is the cause of Thebes’ plague

Why is Thebes suffering from a plague at the beginning of Oedipus Rex?

Because the murderer of King Laius has not been punished

What does the Oracle at Delphi command Oedipus to do in order to save Thebes?

Punish the murderer of Laius

Why does Oedipus become suspicious of Creon?

Oedipus believes Creon wants to overthrow him and take the throne

What critical truth does the shepherd reveal?

That Oedipus was the child of Laius and Jocasta

What happens to Jocasta after the truth is revealed?

She kills herself

What is Oedipus’s final act after discovering his true identity?

He blinds himself and goes into exile