Oedipus the King Exam 2026 Questions
and Answers
peripeteia - Correct answer-"sudden change": a reversal of circumstances, changes
the hero's situation from seemingly secure to vulnerable.
anagnorisis - Correct answer-"tragic recognition or insight": a moment of
clairvoyant insight or understanding when the hero learns something they were
previously ignorant of.
catastrophe - Correct answer-"downturn": a disastrous conclusion to the action, a
dramatic change in the tragic hero's fortunes
tragedy - Correct answer-A drama which depicts the downfall of a basically good
person through some fatal error or misjudgment, producing suffering and insight
on the part of the protagonist and arousing pity and fear on the part of the audience.
catharsis - Correct answer-A release of emotional tension
hamartia - Correct answer-A tragic flaw which causes a character's downfall
hubris - Correct answer-An insult to the gods - usually excessive pride or self-
confidence; arrogant belief of superiority over the gods
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, prologue - Correct answer-Opening of the play which sets the scene and provides
exposition
parados - Correct answer-Entrance song of the Chorus
episodes - Correct answer-Scenes in the action, performed by the actors
stasimons - Correct answer-The Chorus sing and dance a choral ode, accompanied
by music
exodus - Correct answer-The final scene
unity of action - Correct answer-The play follows one main action. There are no
subplots, instead each action inevitably leads to the next
incentive moment - Correct answer-The moment that begins the cause and effect
chain of events
climax - Correct answer-Most exciting moment of the story; the turning point.
resolution - Correct answer-End of the story where problems have been resolved
desis - Correct answer-"tying up": the complication, the events that occur between
the incentive moment and the climax
lusis - Correct answer-"unraveling": dénouement, the events that occur between the
climax and the resolution
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and Answers
peripeteia - Correct answer-"sudden change": a reversal of circumstances, changes
the hero's situation from seemingly secure to vulnerable.
anagnorisis - Correct answer-"tragic recognition or insight": a moment of
clairvoyant insight or understanding when the hero learns something they were
previously ignorant of.
catastrophe - Correct answer-"downturn": a disastrous conclusion to the action, a
dramatic change in the tragic hero's fortunes
tragedy - Correct answer-A drama which depicts the downfall of a basically good
person through some fatal error or misjudgment, producing suffering and insight
on the part of the protagonist and arousing pity and fear on the part of the audience.
catharsis - Correct answer-A release of emotional tension
hamartia - Correct answer-A tragic flaw which causes a character's downfall
hubris - Correct answer-An insult to the gods - usually excessive pride or self-
confidence; arrogant belief of superiority over the gods
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, prologue - Correct answer-Opening of the play which sets the scene and provides
exposition
parados - Correct answer-Entrance song of the Chorus
episodes - Correct answer-Scenes in the action, performed by the actors
stasimons - Correct answer-The Chorus sing and dance a choral ode, accompanied
by music
exodus - Correct answer-The final scene
unity of action - Correct answer-The play follows one main action. There are no
subplots, instead each action inevitably leads to the next
incentive moment - Correct answer-The moment that begins the cause and effect
chain of events
climax - Correct answer-Most exciting moment of the story; the turning point.
resolution - Correct answer-End of the story where problems have been resolved
desis - Correct answer-"tying up": the complication, the events that occur between
the incentive moment and the climax
lusis - Correct answer-"unraveling": dénouement, the events that occur between the
climax and the resolution
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
