Greek Theater Terms

Chorus It was a group of masked performers who looked alike, and spoke all at the same time. All the chorus wore identical masks, because they represented the same character or group of characters. Represented the citizens of the time period. Choragos—lead performer in the chorus who spoke individual lines

Ode Ode (from Ancient Greek: ᾠδή ōidē) is a type of lyrical stanza. A classic ode is structured in three major parts: the strophe, the antistrophe, and the epode. It is an elaborately structured poem praising or glorifying an event or individual, describing nature intellectually as well as emotionally. Greek odes were originally poetic pieces performed with musical accompaniment. 

Episode Dialogue among characters Moves the plot along Involves three actors plus the chorus

Deus Ex Machina meaning "god from the machine". The term has evolved to mean a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and abruptly resolved by the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability or object. 

Stichomythia is a technique in verse drama in which sequences of single alternating lines, or half-lines or two-line speeches are given to alternating characters. It typically features repetition and antithesis.[3]  Stichomythia is particularly well suited to sections of dramatic dialogue where two characters are in violent dispute. The rhythmic intensity of the alternating lines combined with quick, biting ripostes in the dialogue can create a powerful effect.

Dramatic Irony The audience knows something that the character does not know.

Pathos Emotional appeals In Aristotle's Rhetoric, he identifies three artistic modes of persuasion, one of which was “awakening emotion (pathos) in the audience so as to induce them to make the judgment desired.”

Tragedy  form of drama based on human suffering that invokes in its audience an accompanying catharsis or pleasure in the viewing. Many deaths at the end of the play

Tragic Hero High status character, typically of noble birth Generally a good person, but possesses a fatal flaw (hamartia), usually excessive pride (hubris) Flaw causes a reversal of fortune (peripetia) Has a moment of recognition (anagnorisis) Loses his status through a downfall Suffers greatly

Hamartia Hamartia as it pertains to dramatic literature was first used by Aristotle in his Poetics. Greek origin of word Hamartia comes from archery meaning to miss the mark. In tragedy, hamartia is commonly understood to refer to the protagonist’s error or flaw that leads to a chain of plot actions culminating in a reversal from their good fortune to bad. What qualifies as the error or flaw can include an error resulting from ignorance, an error of judgment, a flaw in character, or sin. 

Hubris means extreme pride or self-confidence. When it offends the gods of ancient Greece, it is usually punished.  Hubris often indicates a loss of contact with reality and an overestimation of one's own competence, accomplishments or capabilities, especially when the person exhibiting it is in a position of power.

Peripeteia a reversal of circumstances, or turning point. The term is primarily used with reference to works of literature.  Greek origin of the word Peripetia means walking back and forth.

Anagnorisis Anagnorisis (/ˌænəɡˈnɒrɨsɨs/; Ancient Greek: ἀναγνώρισις) is a moment in a play or other work when a character makes a critical discovery. Anagnorisis originally meant recognition in its Greek context, not only of a person but also of what that person stood for.

Catharsis (from Greek κάθαρσις katharsis meaning "purification" or "cleansing") the purification and purgation of emotions—especially pity and fear—through art or any extreme change in emotion that results in renewal and restoration.  It is a metaphor originally used byAristotle in the Poetics, comparing the effects of tragedy on the mind of spectator to the effect of a cathartic on the body.