Greek To Us - Comedy, Tragedy and Satire

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Greek drama could be considered an offshoot of ancient religious celebrations dedicated to the god Dionysus. In Thrace, approximately 1200 B.C., rampaging maenads, and reveling, intoxicated dancers scandalized villagers with their exuberant emotional displays, violence and sexual excesses. Many felt that those partaking in these Dionysian rites were achieving an altered mental state. What modern word denoting a state of overpowering emotion derives directly from the Greek word used to describe the mental state of those participating in Dionysian revels? (Hint: it is also the name for a popular "club drug".) Frenzy Ecstasy Rapture Passion

2. The rite of chanting and dancing around a statue of Dionysus evolved into the Greek dramatic form known as tragedy. Choruses of men competed at a Dionysian festivals for the traditional prize. Some believe that the traditional prize given at these festivals led to the name given to the plays the choruses performed. What is the literal meaning of the Greek word "tragoedia" from which multiples dictionaries indicate that the word "tragedy" derived? (Hint: think bottom half of a satyr.) Stinking song Goat song Lewd song Wine song

3. Dateline: Athens, November 23, 534 B.C. The unprecedented occurred this day at the Dionysian festival when shocked festivalgoers watched in fascination as a young man stood out from the chorus and engaged in a stirring dialogue with the chorus. This audacious youth actually assumed the part of a single character in the performance. What is the name of this young man who became, quite possibly, the first actor in European history? (Hint: a term still used for actors derives from this name.) Homer Thespis Sophocles Pericles

4. In the 5th century B.C. in Athens, the bleachers on which audiences sat to watch play performances in the city marketplace burned down. This led to the building of an actual theater in the Dionysian precinct on the south side of the Acropolis. Archaeologists believe this first theater had no skene. It they are correct, which of the following was missing? A wall to support scenery All of these A building behind the orchestra A raised platform behind the orchestra

5. In the 5th century B. C. Pericles, ruler of Athens, established the theoric fund that would evolve into Western civilization's first substantial welfare program for the poor. The theoric funds were first used to secure what benefit for the poor of Athens? Food Free admission to plays Shelter Jobs

6. A friend invites you to watch a short drama penned by the immortal Euripides. You watch in astonishment as bawdy, drunken satyrs mock the brave Odysseus and his crew who have been captured by the Cyclops. What variety of play are you watching? A satyr play A tragedy A comedy Modern mockery of serious ancient drama

7. An actor in a Greek drama was termed an "hypokrites". Which of the following modern politicians could not be called an "hypokrites" in the sense of the ancient Greek drama? (Hint: he's the only one not to have held office in California). George Murphy Gerald Ford Ronald Reagan Arnold Schwarzenegger

8. In the 4th century B.C., Plato penned his "Republic", which outlined Plato's ideas for an ideal state. What did Plato see as the state's responsibility with respect to tragic and comic plays? (Hint: Plato would probably not have been pleased by the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution.) Plato's Republic would permit tragedy but not comedy. Under Plato's Republic writers would be allowed complete freedom to pursue their own conceptions of the good, the true and the beautiful. Plato's Republic would permit comedy but not tragedy. Plato's Republic would not permit drama of any kind.

9. Which ancient Greek is credited with the following: "Come, listen now to the good old days when children, strange to tell, were seen not heard, led a simple life, in short were brought up well." Socrates, philosopher Aristophanes, writer of comedies Sophocles, writer of tragedies Pericles, ruler of Athens

10. Ancient Greek comedy is divided into Old Comedy and New Comedy. The former was largely politically and socially based satire. The New Comedy mostly treated common people, social situations and with an emphasis on love and romance. Which of the following would most closely resemble New Comedy? Star Trek: Enterprise Saturday Night Live Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors"