Greek Drama Questions

1.  What kind of prize is given for dancing choruses of worshippers?

The dancing choruses of worshipers began competing for prizes such as a bull or a goat.

2.   How many spectators would gather in the open-air theater of Dionysos?

As many as fourteen thousand spectators would gather in the open-air theater of Dionysos.

3.   How does the mask affect the voices of the actors?

The masks had exaggerated mouthpieces that amplified the actors’ voices—an ancient solution to the problem solved today by microphones.

4.  Why was Antigone suspenseful to viewing audiences?

It was suspenseful because the audience knew things the characters on stage did not know.

5.   How is the shepherd to leave the infant on the mountainside?

The shepherd was ordered to leave the infant on the mountainside with his ankles pinned together.

6.    What is the riddle the Sphinx gave to Oedipus?

The Sphinx’s riddle went like this: “What creature goes on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?”

7.   Who are Oedipus’ kids?

Oedipus’ kids are Polyneices, Eteocles, Antigone, and Ismene.

8.   After Oedipus is exiled, who takes over Thebes?

After Oedipus is exiled, Creon took over as regent of Thebes because Polyneices and Eteocles had killed each other in battle for the throne.

9.   What did the family do to the dead body?

     After death, the family closed the dead person’s eyes and mouth and began to prepare the body for “the wake”. The women of the house washed the body and dressed it in white or in wedding clothes. They then placed the body on a portable framework, pointing the feet toward the door and sprinkled it with wild marjoram and other herbs to keep evil spirits away. Women waited near the body and men entered in formal procession and held their right arms raised high in the air. When the closest relatives held the dead person’s head with both hands, the other mourners wailed and sang accompanied by the reed pipe.