Greek Theatre Trivia! Knowledge Test! Quiz

2.

Name the Tragedy playwrights

Aristophanes
Aeschylus
Euripides
Sophocles

Correct Answer(s)

A. Aeschylus
A. Euripides
A. Sophocles

Explanation

The correct answer includes the names Aeschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles. These three playwrights are well-known for their contributions to the genre of tragedy in ancient Greek theater. Aeschylus is often referred to as the father of tragedy and is known for his plays such as "The Oresteia." Euripides is known for his emotionally charged and psychologically complex tragedies, including "Medea" and "The Bacchae." Sophocles is known for his plays such as "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone," which explore themes of fate, morality, and the human condition. These playwrights have had a significant influence on the development of tragic drama.

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3.

Wrote the Oresteia trilogy about the Trojan wars.

Euripides
Aeschylus
Menander
Sophocles

Correct Answer

A. Aeschylus

Explanation

Aeschylus is the correct answer because he is the playwright who wrote the Oresteia trilogy, which consists of three plays - Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides. These plays do not focus directly on the Trojan wars, but rather explore the aftermath of the Trojan War and the curse on the House of Atreus. Euripides, Menander, and Sophocles were also famous Greek playwrights, but they did not write the Oresteia trilogy.

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4.

The heroes of these plays focused on the individual, whose tragic ends were beyond their own control. Oedipus Rex and Antigone are among his plays that are still performed today.

Mendander
Euripides
Aristophanes
Sophocles

Correct Answer

A. Sophocles

Explanation

Sophocles is the correct answer because his plays, such as Oedipus Rex and Antigone, are known for their focus on the individual and their tragic ends. These plays often explore themes of fate and the limits of human control, showcasing characters whose destinies are predetermined and cannot be altered. Sophocles' works continue to be performed today due to their timeless themes and compelling storytelling.

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5.

Wrote Medea and Trojan women. his plays challenged religious beliefs in a controversial manner for the time.

Sophocles
Euripides
Aristophanes
Menander

Correct Answer

A. Euripides

Explanation

Euripides is the correct answer because he wrote plays such as Medea and Trojan Women that challenged religious beliefs in a controversial manner for the time. His works often depicted strong and complex female characters, which was unconventional during that period. Euripides' plays explored themes of revenge, betrayal, and the consequences of human actions, pushing the boundaries of traditional Greek tragedy and provoking thought and discussion about religious beliefs.

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6.

His wit and satire supposedly sparked many debates and angered many people. Lysistrata is often still performed.

Sophocles
Aeschylus
Menander
Aristophanes

Correct Answer

A. Aristophanes

Explanation

Aristophanes is the correct answer because he is known for his wit and satire, which supposedly sparked many debates and angered many people. Despite the passage of time, his play "Lysistrata" is still often performed, indicating the lasting impact of his work.

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7.

He is said to have written more than 100 plays, but only one survives, Dyscolus, which wasn't printed as a modern text until 1958.

Sophocles
Aeschylus
Menander
Euripides

Correct Answer

A. Menander

Explanation

Menander is the correct answer because the passage states that he is said to have written more than 100 plays, but only one survives, Dyscolus. This implies that Menander is the playwright being referred to, as the other three options (Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides) have more surviving plays. Additionally, it is mentioned that Dyscolus was not printed as a modern text until 1958, further supporting the idea that Menander's works were not widely known or preserved until much later.

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8.

List the Structure of play from first to last. Prologos Parodos Episode IV Stasimon IV Episode II Episode III Stasimon I Exodus stasimon II Episode I Stasimon III

Parodos, Prologos, Stasimons, episodes, exodus
Prologos, stasimons, exodus, parodos, episodes
Episodes, stasimons, parodos, exodus, prologos
Prologos, parados, episodes, stasimons, exodus

Correct Answer

A. Prologos, parados, episodes, stasimons, exodus

Explanation

The correct answer is "Prologos, parados, episodes, stasimons, exodus." This is the correct order of the structure of a play. The Prologos is the opening section that provides background information. The Parodos is the entrance of the chorus, followed by the episodes which are the main scenes of the play. The Stasimons are choral odes that are performed between the episodes. Finally, the Exodus is the concluding section of the play.

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9.

The first spoke of an actor usually sets up the plot and explains what has happened prior to the play's beginning.

Parados
Prologos
Stasimons
Episodes

Correct Answer

A. Prologos

Explanation

The correct answer is "prologos." In Greek theater, the prologos was the first section of a play where an actor would come forward and give an introductory speech. This speech would typically set up the plot and provide background information about what has happened before the play's beginning. Therefore, the prologos serves as an important starting point for the audience to understand the context and events of the play.

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10.

The first speech of the chorus, usually to explain their purpose in being there, or to explain the overall purpose and meaning of the play.

Prologos
Episodes
Exodus
Parados

Correct Answer

A. Parados

Explanation

The correct answer is "parados." In Greek theater, the parados refers to the first speech of the chorus. This speech serves to explain the purpose of the chorus and their presence in the play. It also often provides insight into the overall purpose and meaning of the play. The parados sets the stage for the rest of the performance and helps the audience understand the context and themes of the play.

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11.

Songs of the chorus addressing an abstract theme of the play, or focusing upon the central theme of the play.

Episodes
Exodus
Parados
Stasimas.

Correct Answer

A. Stasimas.

Explanation

Stasimas refers to the songs of the chorus in a play that address an abstract theme of the play or focus on the central theme. It is a term used in Greek theater to describe a specific type of choral ode. The stasimas usually occur after an episode and provide commentary or reflection on the events of the play. Therefore, stasimas is the correct answer as it aligns with the given explanation.

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12.

Chanting rhythmically with songs celebrating Dionysus for his gifts of wine, happiness, life after death and a host of other extravagant gifts.

Hoola hoola
Mackantosh
Talalaral
Dithyrambs

Correct Answer

A. Dithyrambs

Explanation

Dithyrambs were ancient Greek hymns or songs that were chanted rhythmically to celebrate Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, happiness, and life after death. These hymns were often extravagant and praised Dionysus for his many gifts, including wine. The given text mentions chanting rhythmically with songs celebrating Dionysus, which aligns with the definition of dithyrambs.

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13.

Who is considered the first actor?

Thespis
Cralogs
Meithen
Zeus

Correct Answer

A. Thespis

Explanation

Thespis is considered the first actor because he was the first person in ancient Greece to step out of the chorus and perform as an individual character. He introduced the concept of portraying different characters and engaging in dialogue, which laid the foundation for modern acting. Thespis is often referred to as the "Father of Drama" for his pioneering contributions to theater.

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Greek Theatre Trivia! Knowledge Test! Quiz

Name the comedy playwrights.

Quiz Preview

Name the Tragedy playwrights

Wrote the Oresteia trilogy about the Trojan wars.

The heroes of these plays focused on the individual, whose tragic ends were beyond their own control. Oedipus Rex and Antigone are among his plays that are still performed today.

Wrote Medea and Trojan women. his plays challenged religious beliefs in a controversial manner for the time.

His wit and satire supposedly sparked many debates and angered many people. Lysistrata is often still performed.

He is said to have written more than 100 plays, but only one survives, Dyscolus, which wasn't printed as a modern text until 1958.

List the Structure of play from first to last. Prologos Parodos Episode IV Stasimon IV Episode II Episode III Stasimon I Exodus stasimon II Episode I Stasimon III

The first spoke of an actor usually sets up the plot and explains what has happened prior to the play's beginning.

The first speech of the chorus, usually to explain their purpose in being there, or to explain the overall purpose and meaning of the play.

Songs of the chorus addressing an abstract theme of the play, or focusing upon the central theme of the play.

Chanting rhythmically with songs celebrating Dionysus for his gifts of wine, happiness, life after death and a host of other extravagant gifts.

Who is considered the first actor?

Greek Theatre Trivia! Knowledge Test! Quiz

Name the comedy playwrights.

Quiz Preview

Name the Tragedy playwrights

Wrote the Oresteia trilogy about the Trojan wars.

The heroes of these plays focused on the individual, whose tragic ends were beyond their own control. Oedipus Rex and Antigone are among his plays that are still performed today. ​​

Wrote Medea and Trojan women. his plays challenged religious beliefs in a controversial manner for the time.

His wit and satire supposedly sparked many debates and angered many people. Lysistrata is often still performed.

He is said to have written more than 100 plays, but only one survives, Dyscolus, which wasn't printed as a modern text until 1958.

List the Structure of play from first to last. Prologos Parodos Episode IV Stasimon IV Episode II Episode III Stasimon I Exodus stasimon II Episode I Stasimon III

The first spoke of an actor usually sets up the plot and explains what has happened prior to the play's beginning.

The first speech of the chorus, usually to explain their purpose in being there, or to explain the overall purpose and meaning of the play.

Songs of the chorus addressing an abstract theme of the play, or focusing upon the central theme of the play.

Chanting rhythmically with songs celebrating Dionysus for his gifts of wine, happiness, life after death and a host of other extravagant gifts.

Who is considered the first actor?

The heroes of these plays focused on the individual, whose tragic ends were beyond their own control. Oedipus Rex and Antigone are among his plays that are still performed today.