The Functions Of The Chorus In

In many Greek tragedies, the Chorus serves an important role. It is used for many things, such as clarifying the feelings of the characters and to establish and point out the significance of facts in the story. In Oedipus the King, the Chorus serves these functions, as well as to give the reader insight into the beliefs of the ancient Greeks.
The functions of the Chorus are not just for dramatic purposes. The Chorus was first used in Greek tragedies for the sake of the audience. In ancient Greece, plays were performed in large amphitheaters that would seat around ten thousand people. The actors had no way of projecting their voices, so a group of actors would read the lines together. ...

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On page nine, the Chorus has its first speaking part in the play (which is known as the parados), and it is invoking the Gods and asking them for help. A plague befell the city of Thebes in which their crops and people were dying. The Oracle of Delphi said that the plague would only end when the killer of Laius (the former king of Thebes) was found. Here, the Chorus is giving the reader insight into Greek culture:
O Prophecy of Jove, whose words are sweet,
With what doom art thou sent
To glorious Thebes, from Pytho's gilded seat?
I am distraught with fearful wonderment,
I thrill with terror, and wait reverently
Yea, Io Paean, Delian lord, on thee!
The Chorus is referring to the Prophecy of Jove, or Zeus. It is wondering why the Gods chose to send a plague to their city. The Chorus is reflecting the society's feelings about the plague, because it says that it is "distraught with fearful wonderment" and "thrill with terror." This indicates that the Greeks believe in the ...

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Added: 4/15/2005 07:22:25 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 836
Pages: 4

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