Antigone Literary TermsMISS PINKER

Poetic justice

noun

the fact of

experiencing a fitting

or deserved retribution

for one's actions

Stichomythia

noun

dialogue in which two characters speak

alternate lines of verse, used as a stylistic device

in ancient Greek drama.

Tragic hero/heroine

noun

a great or virtuous character in a dramatic

tragedy who is destined for

downfall, suffering, or defeat

Paradox

noun

a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or

apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises,

leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically

unacceptable, or self-contradictory

Exodus

noun

a mass departure of people, especially

emigrants.

noun

a fatal flaw leading to the

downfall of a tragic hero or

heroine.

Harmartia

Hubris

noun

excessive pride or self-confidence.

Dramatic Irony

noun

irony that is inherent in speeches

or a situation of a drama and is

understood by the audience but

not grasped by the characters in

the play.

Invocation

noun

1. the action of invoking something

or someone for assistance or as an

authority.

2. the summoning of a deity or the

supernatural.

Catharsis

noun

the process of

releasing, and

thereby providing

relief from, strong or

repressed

emotions.

In medias res

adverb

into the middle of a narrative; without

preamble.

Epic simile

Noun

also called Homeric simile

an extended simile often running

to several lines, used typically

in epic poetry to intensify the

heroic stature of the subject and

to serve as decoration.