... of man. As a more complex society developed among band of primitive men, so to was a hierarchy established. More complicated stories developed with more characters and individualities, the gods and other deities were formed. In man's new society, these beings would serve several purposes. Though they continued to act as ... epic furthering it literary quality and standing as a great poem. Lastly, as is necessary in all great epics, Virgil realized the necessity of creating characters that were greater than life, were in touch with the gods and performed great deeds. For the most part Vir...

• Word Count: 2308
• Approx Pages: 9

... are similar in plot and style to the situation comedies on television today. The plot hinges on a complication or situation revolving around love, family problems, money, or the like. The characters are stock - identifiable, simplified social types, such as a miserly father or a nagging mother-in-law. Greek tragedy flourished in the 5th century BC. Of the more than 1000 tragedies written ... composed more than 100 plays, of which 7 complete tragedies and fragments of 80 or 90 others are preserved. The seven extant plays are Antigone, Oedipus Tyrannus or Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King), E...

• Word Count: 2321
• Approx Pages: 9

... that many Greek dramas revolve around an individual hero or a king's fall from power because of pride or some other personality flaw. Well-known characters in some of the greatest Greek tragedians' plays illustrate this idea. In Aeschylus's Agamemnon, the title character is a returning king who behaves arrogantly ... and thoughtlessly. He is murdered by his wife and his kingdom falls apart. Sophocles's character Oedipus ends up killing his father, losing his kingdom and his wife and mother, and becoming a blind, wandering outcast for the rest of his life. ... put the matter to rights. ...

• Word Count: 1999
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School