Question 1

When theatre historians speak of the "Greek theatre" they are usually speaking about

Accepted Answer

A) Athens in the classic period that spanned 100 years (Fifth Century,B.C. ). 
B) outdoor theatre that featured mostly comedies. 
C) included many locations,both Greek and Roman,Egypt. 
D) all classical (Greek,Roman,and neoclassical)drama. 
A) Athens in the classic period that spanned 100 years (Fifth Century,B.C. ). 
B) outdoor theatre that featured mostly comedies. 
C) included many locations,both Greek and Roman,Egypt. 
D) all classical (Greek,Roman,and neoclassical)drama. A

Question 2

Upon reflection of Greek Theatre,how does a contemporary outdoor Shakespeare festival compare or differ.List a minimum of three for each kind of theatre.

Accepted Answer

Greek Theatre and contemporary outdoor Shakespeare festivals have both similarities and differences in terms of their performance style, setting, and audience experience.

Similarities:
1. Performance Style: Both Greek Theatre and outdoor Shakespeare festivals often feature performances that are open-air and rely on natural acoustics. They also both emphasize the use of masks and costumes to convey emotions and characters.

2. Setting: Both types of theatre are often performed in outdoor settings, allowing for a more immersive experience for the audience. The use of natural elements such as trees, hills, and open skies adds to the overall ambiance of the performance.

3. Audience Experience: Both Greek Theatre and outdoor Shakespeare festivals aim to engage the audience in a communal experience. The use of open-air settings allows for a more intimate and interactive relationship between the performers and the audience.

Differences:
1. Language and Text: While both types of theatre may feature classical texts, Greek Theatre often relies on ancient Greek plays, while outdoor Shakespeare festivals focus on the works of William Shakespeare, which are written in Early Modern English.

2. Cultural Context: Greek Theatre is rooted in ancient Greek mythology and culture, often exploring themes and stories specific to that time period. In contrast, outdoor Shakespeare festivals often adapt Shakespeare's plays to contemporary settings, making them more relatable to modern audiences.

3. Performance Techniques: Greek Theatre traditionally incorporates choral odes and dance as integral parts of the performance, while outdoor Shakespeare festivals may incorporate more modern theatrical techniques such as stage combat and special effects.

In conclusion, while both Greek Theatre and contemporary outdoor Shakespeare festivals share similarities in their performance style, setting, and audience experience, they also differ in terms of the language and text, cultural context, and performance techniques. These differences contribute to the unique experiences offered by each type of theatre.

Question 3

Which of the following is true of Titus Maccius Plautus (C.254-184 B.C. )?

Accepted Answer

A) His twenty-one plays are fast-paced,joke-filled,lusty stage romps filled with songs. 
B) His twenty-one plays chronicle the founding and glory of Rome through noble and elevated language spoken by senators. 
C) His twenty-one plays show his marriage of the existential themes of Greek tragedy with the light-hearted ambiance of the pastoral idyll. 
D) His twenty-one plays,dealing with religious themes,were prohibited from performance owing to the Roman Emperor's claim to be both king and god. 
A) His twenty-one plays are fast-paced,joke-filled,lusty stage romps filled with songs. 
B) His twenty-one plays chronicle the founding and glory of Rome through noble and elevated language spoken by senators. 
C) His twenty-one plays show his marriage of the existential themes of Greek tragedy with the light-hearted ambiance of the pastoral idyll. 
D) His twenty-one plays,dealing with religious themes,were prohibited from performance owing to the Roman Emperor's claim to be both king and god. A

Question 4

The dithyramb was

Accepted Answer

A) an austere religious sacrifice involving the burning of incense and the consecration of a bull to Apollo. 
B) a combination song and dance routine performed on the spring equinox and celebrated with flowers,grasses,and the blessing of ships. 
C) an ancient,drunken,dance-chant fertility ritual that celebrated the birth of the wine god that lasted for many days. 
D) a rite of passage symbolizing the transition from virginity to marriage sanctified by the reading of oracles from Delphi. 
A) an austere religious sacrifice involving the burning of incense and the consecration of a bull to Apollo. 
B) a combination song and dance routine performed on the spring equinox and celebrated with flowers,grasses,and the blessing of ships. 
C) an ancient,drunken,dance-chant fertility ritual that celebrated the birth of the wine god that lasted for many days. 
D) a rite of passage symbolizing the transition from virginity to marriage sanctified by the reading of oracles from Delphi.

Question 5

Historically,traditional drama begins when

Accepted Answer

A) spoken drama-drama is introduced into shamanistic rites. 
B) rituals begin to incorporate shamanistic trances. 
C) whole tribes of audiences begin to gather to hear storytellers relate their tales. 
D) dramatic competitions are introduced in Athens. 
A) spoken drama-drama is introduced into shamanistic rites. 
B) rituals begin to incorporate shamanistic trances. 
C) whole tribes of audiences begin to gather to hear storytellers relate their tales. 
D) dramatic competitions are introduced in Athens.

Question 6

How was Greek Old Comedy characterized,as opposed to tragedy?

Accepted Answer

A) It reflected little,if any,religious origin 
B) It refused to portray the Gods as benign characters 
C) It was chaste and mild in its depiction of possible offensiveness 
D) It was actually virtually identical to tragedy in tone 
A) It reflected little,if any,religious origin 
B) It refused to portray the Gods as benign characters 
C) It was chaste and mild in its depiction of possible offensiveness 
D) It was actually virtually identical to tragedy in tone

Question 7

The first word for actor was hypokrite.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT true of the Greek chorus,as exemplified in Prometheus Bound?

Accepted Answer

A) The chorus permitted the insertion of internal monologues as well as incendiary public addresses. 
B) The chorus stood metaphorically and literally between the principal characters and the audience. 
C) The chorus enabled the playwright to bridge narrative and dramatic forms. 
D) The chorus ignores Prometheus,giving no counsel,and leaves him often alone to figure things out by himself. 
A) The chorus permitted the insertion of internal monologues as well as incendiary public addresses. 
B) The chorus stood metaphorically and literally between the principal characters and the audience. 
C) The chorus enabled the playwright to bridge narrative and dramatic forms. 
D) The chorus ignores Prometheus,giving no counsel,and leaves him often alone to figure things out by himself.

Question 9

The Greek word for tragedy was tragoidia,which means goat song.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

The device used at the beginning of the play by which the playwright offers revelations about past events is called

Accepted Answer

A) denouement. 
B) crisis. 
C) prophecy. 
D) exposition. 
A) denouement. 
B) crisis. 
C) prophecy. 
D) exposition.

Question 11

How does plot or character drive the play in Oedipus and Prometheus Bound? Compare and contrast the two along these lines.

Accepted Answer

In the play Oedipus, the plot is primari

Question 12

Anagnorisis refers to

Accepted Answer

A) the audience's response to tragedy. 
B) the physical configuration of the stage. 
C) the central character's recognition. 
D) the will of the gods. 
A) the audience's response to tragedy. 
B) the physical configuration of the stage. 
C) the central character's recognition. 
D) the will of the gods.

Question 13

From the word for hut or tent,the Greek version of dressing room was a wooden changing room called the

Accepted Answer

A) skene. 
B) orchestra. 
C) auditorium. 
D) theatron. 
A) skene. 
B) orchestra. 
C) auditorium. 
D) theatron.

Question 14

Ritualistic and storytelling origins of theatre are evident in dramas we see today.Compare how the actor as well as our use of technology in contemporary theatre function like a shaman.(Hint: Think transitions,staging,mood,etc. )

Accepted Answer

The ritualistic and storytelling origins

Question 15

Explain the growth of the Greek drama in terms of the progressive increase in numbers of persons on the stage.What implications does this physical change hold for the dramaturgy?

Accepted Answer

The growth of Greek drama in terms of th

Question 16

Most extant Roman plays were adaptations of Greek models with Greek characters in Greek costumes,acting out Greek legends.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Which of the following would NOT describe the experience of catharsis as felt by an audience?

Accepted Answer

A) After witnessing ritualized suffering,it allows a perspective on our fears of what lies ahead. 
B) It excites emotions and keeps them active,preparing spectators for vigorous or violent social action outside the theatre. 
C) It purges the feelings of pity and terror aroused by the action. 
D) Its aim is like that of primitive rituals of exorcism and some modern psychotherapy. 
A) After witnessing ritualized suffering,it allows a perspective on our fears of what lies ahead. 
B) It excites emotions and keeps them active,preparing spectators for vigorous or violent social action outside the theatre. 
C) It purges the feelings of pity and terror aroused by the action. 
D) Its aim is like that of primitive rituals of exorcism and some modern psychotherapy.

Question 18

The main difference between tragedies and satyr plays,on the one hand,and the dithyramb,on the other,was that

Accepted Answer

A) the dithyramb preserved religious tone;the tone of the tragedies and satyr plays was secular. 
B) the tragedies and satyr plays added an actor to the performance. 
C) the dithyramb was always performed by women,whereas only men were permitted to perform in a tragedy or satyr play. 
D) the dithyramb was always keyed to special dates on the astronomical and religious calendar;the tragedies and satyr plays could be performed at any time of the year. 
A) the dithyramb preserved religious tone;the tone of the tragedies and satyr plays was secular. 
B) the tragedies and satyr plays added an actor to the performance. 
C) the dithyramb was always performed by women,whereas only men were permitted to perform in a tragedy or satyr play. 
D) the dithyramb was always keyed to special dates on the astronomical and religious calendar;the tragedies and satyr plays could be performed at any time of the year.

Question 19

Dramatic irony is a term that describes

Accepted Answer

A) the reversal in a character's fate from bad to good. 
B) a theatrical contrivance which enables the audience to understand the characters' situation better than the characters do. 
C) a soliloquy that is overheard by other characters. 
D) the clash in color used to separate characters that have different points of view. 
A) the reversal in a character's fate from bad to good. 
B) a theatrical contrivance which enables the audience to understand the characters' situation better than the characters do. 
C) a soliloquy that is overheard by other characters. 
D) the clash in color used to separate characters that have different points of view.

Question 20

In his play,Oedipus Rex,playwright Sophocles,introduced

Accepted Answer

A) two-person scenes. 
B) long epic monologues. 
C) use of prophecy and dramatic irony. 
D) comedic moments to break the tragic scenes. 
A) two-person scenes. 
B) long epic monologues. 
C) use of prophecy and dramatic irony. 
D) comedic moments to break the tragic scenes.

When theatre historians speak of the "Greek theatre" they are usually speaking about

Upon reflection of Greek Theatre,how does a contemporary outdoor Shakespeare festival compare or differ.List a minimum of three for each kind of theatre.

Which of the following is true of Titus Maccius Plautus (C.254-184 B.C. )?

The dithyramb was

Historically,traditional drama begins when

How was Greek Old Comedy characterized,as opposed to tragedy?

The first word for actor was hypokrite.

Which of the following is NOT true of the Greek chorus,as exemplified in Prometheus Bound?

The Greek word for tragedy was tragoidia,which means goat song.

The device used at the beginning of the play by which the playwright offers revelations about past events is called

How does plot or character drive the play in Oedipus and Prometheus Bound? Compare and contrast the two along these lines.

Anagnorisis refers to

From the word for hut or tent,the Greek version of dressing room was a wooden changing room called the

Ritualistic and storytelling origins of theatre are evident in dramas we see today.Compare how the actor as well as our use of technology in contemporary theatre function like a shaman.(Hint: Think transitions,staging,mood,etc. )

Explain the growth of the Greek drama in terms of the progressive increase in numbers of persons on the stage.What implications does this physical change hold for the dramaturgy?

Most extant Roman plays were adaptations of Greek models with Greek characters in Greek costumes,acting out Greek legends.

Which of the following would NOT describe the experience of catharsis as felt by an audience?

The main difference between tragedies and satyr plays,on the one hand,and the dithyramb,on the other,was that

Dramatic irony is a term that describes

In his play,Oedipus Rex,playwright Sophocles,introduced

What Is Theatre

What Is a Play

The Actor

The Playwright

Designers and Technicians

The Director

Theatre Traditions

The Modern Theatre

Musical Theatre

Theatre Today

The Audience

The Middle Ages

The Renaissance

The Theatre of Asia

The Royal Era

The Modern Theatre: Realism

The Modern Theatre: Antirealism

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Exam 12: The Ancients

When theatre historians speak of the "Greek theatre" they are usually speaking about

Upon reflection of Greek Theatre,how does a contemporary outdoor Shakespeare festival compare or differ.List a minimum of three for each kind of theatre.

Which of the following is true of Titus Maccius Plautus (C.254-184 B.C. )?

The dithyramb was

Historically,traditional drama begins when

How was Greek Old Comedy characterized,as opposed to tragedy?

The first word for actor was hypokrite.

Which of the following is NOT true of the Greek chorus,as exemplified in Prometheus Bound?

The Greek word for tragedy was tragoidia,which means goat song.

The device used at the beginning of the play by which the playwright offers revelations about past events is called

How does plot or character drive the play in Oedipus and Prometheus Bound? Compare and contrast the two along these lines.

Anagnorisis refers to

From the word for hut or tent,the Greek version of dressing room was a wooden changing room called the

Ritualistic and storytelling origins of theatre are evident in dramas we see today.Compare how the actor as well as our use of technology in contemporary theatre function like a shaman.(Hint: Think transitions,staging,mood,etc. )

Explain the growth of the Greek drama in terms of the progressive increase in numbers of persons on the stage.What implications does this physical change hold for the dramaturgy?

Most extant Roman plays were adaptations of Greek models with Greek characters in Greek costumes,acting out Greek legends.

Which of the following would NOT describe the experience of catharsis as felt by an audience?

The main difference between tragedies and satyr plays,on the one hand,and the dithyramb,on the other,was that

Dramatic irony is a term that describes

In his play,Oedipus Rex,playwright Sophocles,introduced

What Is Theatre

What Is a Play

The Actor

The Playwright

Designers and Technicians

The Director

Theatre Traditions

The Modern Theatre

Musical Theatre

Theatre Today

The Audience

The Middle Ages

The Renaissance

The Theatre of Asia

The Royal Era

The Modern Theatre: Realism

The Modern Theatre: Antirealism

Filters