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Subjects · Leaving Cert Classical Studies

Leaving Cert Classical Studies: Tragic devices & catharsis

How often Tragic devices & catharsis comes up on the Classical Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 2 of the last 3 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Tragic devices & catharsis, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Tragic devices & catharsis.

(a)What is stichomythia?
  1. A messenger's report of offstage events
  2. Rapid dialogue, one line each
  3. A choral song in paired stanzas
(b)What did Aristotle call a sudden reversal of fortune in a tragedy?
  1. Catharsis
  2. Anagnorisis
  3. Peripeteia
(c)How does the audience learn of Jocasta's death?
  1. A messenger's speech
  2. The Chorus sings it in the parodos
  3. It is acted out on stage
Show the answers

(a) Rapid dialogue, one line each

(b) Peripeteia

(c) A messenger's speech

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Tragic devices & catharsis.

Higher Level

Asked on 2 of the last 3 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q16
2024Q5
2023Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Tragic devices & catharsis questions

Tragic devices & catharsis, 2 marks

What is miasma in Oedipus the King?

  1. A sudden reversal in the hero's fortune at the climax
  2. The rapid exchange of single lines in a quarrel
  3. Religious pollution from bloodshed that infects the city
Show the answer

Religious pollution from bloodshed that infects the city

The unpunished killing of Laius pollutes Thebes, causing the plague. Only driving out the killer can cleanse it, which is why Oedipus must be exiled.

Other Classical Studies topics

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