Review of Key Concepts from Greek Mythology and Literature

A collection of 85 vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts and characters from Greek mythology and literature, useful for exam preparation.

Cassandra

A figure cursed by Apollo to prophesy truth but never to be believed.

Apollo

The god who loved Daphne but could not attain her because she was transformed into a laurel tree.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence that often leads to nemesis.

Agamemnon

King in Greek mythology whose downfall is foreshadowed by hubris.

Philomela

Daughter of Pandion who seeks vengeance for her violation.

Alyssa Strata

A powerful female character who confronts men with hubris and emphasizes diplomacy.

Eumenides

Part of the Oresteia trilogy that deals with the transition to tribunal justice.

Odysseus

Hero of the Odyssey known for his cunning and long journey home.

Penelope

Wife of Odysseus, often compared to Clytemnestra, embodying faithfulness.

Clytemnestra

Agamemnon's wife who plots his murder due to his hubris.

Kleos

Greek term for glory or fame, often pursued by heroes.

Hamartia

Tragic flaw or error leading to the downfall of a tragic hero.

Catharsis

Emotional release or purification achieved through tragedy.

Anagnorosis

The moment of recognition or discovery in a play.

Peripeteia

A sudden reversal of fortune in a drama.

Orestes

Son of Agamemnon who avenges his father by killing Clytemnestra.

Furies

Vengeful spirits representing blood vengeance before the switch to civilized justice.

Epic Simile

An extended comparison often used in epic poetry to highlight traits or actions.

Nausicaa

The young princess who offers hospitality to Odysseus.

Circe

The sorceress who transforms Odysseus' men into pigs.

Tiresias

The blind prophet encountered by Odysseus in the underworld.

Polyphemus

The Cyclops who captures Odysseus and whose eye he blinds.

Elysian Fields

A place in the underworld where heroes are rewarded after death.

Progne

Sister of Philomela, who joins her in achieving vengeance.

Cupid and Psyche

A myth that explores the theme of love's transformative power.

Pyramus and Thisbe

A tale of tragic love resulting from miscommunication.

Actaeon

The hunter who was turned into a stag by Artemis as punishment.

Daphne

A nymph who was transformed into a laurel tree to escape Apollo.

Orpheus

A legendary musician who descends to the underworld to retrieve his wife.

Cassandra's curse

To be doomed to speak the truth without anyone believing her.

Areopagus

The site of juristic decision making, symbolizing the shift to civilized justice.

Hubris in Greek tragedy

Often leads to downfall and is a central theme in classic tragedies.

Lysistrata's speech

Highlights women's intelligence in managing state affairs through diplomacy.

Anticlea

The mother of Odysseus, whom he meets in the underworld.

Eumaeus

The loyal swineherd who aids Odysseus upon his return.

Argos

Odysseus' faithful dog who symbolizes loyalty.

Eurycleia

The nurse of Odysseus who recognizes him by his scar.

Themes in Greek drama

Justice, vengeance, hubris, and the roles of women.

Euripides

A playwright known for his complex characters and themes.

Stichomythia

A dialogue technique in which two characters speak alternating lines.

Mortality in myths

The confrontation with death is a crucial theme in stories like that of Orpheus.

Abed stories for exam

Include Actium, Phaeton, Apollo and Daphne, Orpheus and Eurydice, etc.

Role of women in myths

Often portrayed as powerful figures confronting male arrogance.

Heroic journey

Odysseus' long voyage home exemplifies this key literary motif.

Dramatic irony

A situation where the audience knows more than the characters.

Transformation motif

Common in myths, representing change and rebirth through challenges.

Psyche's tasks

Represent the trials one must endure for true love.

Mortal vs. immortal

Explores the boundaries and interactions between gods and humans.

Hubris leading to nemesis

A recurring element in Greek tragedies, illustrating the consequences of pride.

Eumenides and the Furies

Represents the transition from vengeance to justice.

Cylindrical passage in tragedies

Captures the emotional arc of protagonists and the spectator's experience.

Trojan War context

The backdrop for many Greek tragedies and epics.

Olive tree bed

Symbolizes the union and fidelity between Odysseus and Penelope.

Clytemnestra's duality

Portrayed as both a vengeful wife and a powerful figure.

Reversal of fortune

Central to Greek tragedies; characters often face significant turns.

Agamemnon's tapestry scene

Symbolizes foreshadowing and irony in his tragic story.

Heroism defined

Often denotes the conflict between personal desires and societal expectations.

Divine intervention

A common theme where gods influence mortal destinies.

Cassandra and Apollo

Highlight the interplay of love, rejection, and fate.

Clytemnestra's plotting

An exploration of revenge and betrayal within familial bonds.

Penelope's trials

Illustrates loyalty and cunning in her interactions with suitors.

Mortality and hope

Psyche's journey embodies the tensions between life, death, and love.