English Unit 1 - Tragedy test prep

Who is the tragic hero in Oedipus Rex?

Oedipus, King of Thebes.

What is Oedipus’ hamartia?

Pride, stubbornness, and blindness to truth.

What is Oedipus’ hubris?

Thinking he can outsmart the prophecy and fate.

What is Oedipus’ peripeteia?

When he realizes the prophecy has come true (he killed his father and married his mother).

What is Oedipus’ anagnorisis?

The moment he understands his true identity and guilt.

How does catharsis work in Oedipus Rex?

The audience feels pity for Oedipus and fear of fate, then relief when the tragedy is complete.

How does dramatic irony appear in Oedipus Rex?

The audience knows the prophecy is true while Oedipus denies it.

How do fate and free will both cause Oedipus’ downfall?

Fate set the prophecy, but his choices (leaving Corinth, killing Laius, marrying Jocasta) fulfill it.

What themes are central to Oedipus Rex?

Fate vs. free will, knowledge vs. ignorance, blindness vs. sight, pride.

Who could be considered the tragic hero in Antigone?

Antigone (loyalty and sacrifice) or Creon (pride and downfall).

What is Antigone’s hamartia?

Stubborn loyalty to family and divine law.

What is Creon’s hamartia?

Pride and inflexible authority.

What is Creon’s hubris?

Refusing to listen to the prophet Teiresias or the chorus’ advice.

What is Antigone’s peripeteia?

Accepting her death and choosing to die for her beliefs.

What is Creon’s peripeteia?

When his family dies because of his choices.

What is Creon’s anagnorisis?

Realizing too late that his pride destroyed his family.

What theme is explored in Antigone through law vs. conscience?

Divine law vs. human law.

What theme is explored through Creon’s downfall?

Pride leads to ruin.

What theme is explored through Antigone’s sacrifice?

Loyalty to family and moral duty.

What makes “The Tunnel” tragic?

It shows inevitability of death, fear of isolation, and characters trapped by their choices.

What is the tragic flaw of the characters in “The Tunnel”?

Fear, indecision, or helplessness.

What themes connect “The Tunnel” to Greek tragedy?

Inevitability, doom, and being powerless against forces larger than oneself.

Who could be seen as the tragic hero in Jack and the Beanstalk?

Jack (through greed/recklessness) or the Giant (as a victim).

What is Jack’s hamartia?

Greed and recklessness (climbing and stealing).

What is the Giant’s hamartia?

Overconfidence in his power.

What theme appears in Jack and the Beanstalk if read as tragedy?

Greed and risk-taking lead to danger and downfall.

How is Jack and the Beanstalk different from Greek tragedy?

It ends with Jack winning, while true tragedy ends in downfall.

What do Oedipus Rex and Antigone have in common?

Themes of pride, fate vs. free will, family duty vs. law, downfall from hamartia.

How is Greek tragedy different from fairy-tale tragedy?

Greek tragedy = fate-driven and inevitable; fairy-tale tragedy = more choice-driven with moral lessons.

What role does pride (hubris) play in tragedy?

It blinds characters to truth and leads to downfall.

What role does fate play in Greek tragedy?

Fate is inescapable and ensures the prophecy is fulfilled.

Why is catharsis important to tragedy?

It provides emotional cleansing for the audience.

What is the overall structure of a tragedy?

Hamartia → choices → peripeteia (reversal) → anagnorisis (recognition) → catharsis (audience release).

Why are tragic heroes relatable?

They are flawed humans, not perfect, so audiences see themselves in their mistakes.

What lesson does tragedy teach the audience?

Excessive pride and disobedience to moral/fate laws lead to destruction.

Why is dramatic irony so common in tragedy?

It heightens tension since the audience knows the truth before the characters.

What is a tragic hero?

A flawed but noble character whose downfall evokes pity and fear.

What is a tragic flaw (hamartia)?

The hero’s error or weakness that leads to downfall.

What is hubris?

Excessive pride or arrogance against divine/fate.

What is nemesis?

The unavoidable punishment or fate that follows hubris.

What is peripeteia?

A sudden reversal of fortune.

What is anagnorisis?

A moment of truth or recognition.

What is catharsis?

Audience’s emotional release of pity and fear.

What is fate?

A predetermined, inevitable outcome.

What is free will?

The ability to make choices within fate.

What is dramatic irony?

When the audience knows more than the characters.

What is the chorus in Greek tragedy?

A group that comments on the action, represents the people, and provides moral perspective.

What is pathos?

The emotional appeal in tragedy that generates pity or sadness.

What is destiny?

A future that is bound to happen, often interchangeable with fate.

What is moral law?

Laws of the gods or conscience.

What is civil law?

Laws of the state or ruler.

What is the Hero’s Journey?

A cycle describing a hero’s adventure, challenges, transformation, and return.

What are the stages of the Hero’s Journey?

Call to adventure → Trials → Crisis → Transformation → Return.

How is the tragic hero different from the Hero’s Journey hero?

Tragic hero ends in downfall; Hero’s Journey hero ends in growth and victory.

What is the Call to Adventure in Oedipus Rex?

Solving the riddle of the Sphinx and becoming king.

What is the Crisis in Oedipus Rex?

Discovering the truth of his birth and crimes.

What is the Return in Oedipus Rex?

His exile after blinding himself (tragic, not victorious).

What is the Call to Adventure in Antigone?

Defying Creon to bury her brother.

What is Antigone’s Crisis?

Being sentenced to death for obeying divine law.

What is Antigone’s Return?

Her death, which exposes Creon’s mistakes.

What is the main theme of Greek tragedy?

Humans cannot escape fate; pride and flaws lead to destruction.

How does tragedy teach moral lessons?

By showing consequences of pride, disobedience, or ignoring truth.

What emotion do tragedies aim to inspire?

Pity, fear, and catharsis.

Why do tragic heroes remain powerful in literature today?

Their struggles reflect universal human flaws and choices.