Oedipus Rex Background Terms Reading Check

arrogance; a quality of extreme or foolish pride or dangerous overconfidence

• Greek tragedy
• tragic flaw
• oracle
• hubris
• catharsis

a woman chosen by the gods through which divine advice and knowledge would be spoken

• Greek tragedy
• tragic flaw
• oracle
• hamartia
• catharsis

the effect a tragedy has on an audience; the purification and purging of emotions, particularly pity and fear, which result from the audience experiencing the art form

• Greek tragedy
• tragic flaw
• hubris
• catharsis

Which does NOT refer to a trait belonging to a tragic character which leads to his downfall?

• virtues

• tragic flaw
• hamartia
• Achilles' heel
• hubris

a Greek word meaning missing the mark (as in archery) fault, failure, or guilt; it is the term for the tragic flaw which leads to a tragic character’s downfall

• Greek tragedy
• tragic flaw
• oracle
• hamartia
• catharsis

a play dealing with tragic events and the downfall of the main character which are caused by a personal failing and include circumstances beyond his control

• Greek tragedy
• oracle
• hamartia
• hubris
• catharsis

Oedipus Rex is a _________________ written by Sophocles.

• Greek tragedy
• tragic flaw
• oracle
• hubris
• catharsis

According to Mrs. Beck (and anyone else who reads the play), what is a significant theme of the play?

• joy in the midst of distress
• hope in the midst of disaster
• love in the midst of hate
• blindness in contrast to sight

Creon consulted an _______________ to help aid in ridding Thebes of the plague.

• Greek tragedy
• tragic flaw
• oracle
• hamartia
• Sphinx

The horrific events in this play would cause the audience to experience ____________________.

• celebration
• tragic flaw
• oracle
• hubris
• catharsis