What is the chorus in Oedipus the king?
The chorus speaks as one voice, or sometimes through the voice of its leader. It praises, damns, cowers in fear, asks or offers advice, and generally helps the audience interpret the play. The Oedipus Rex quotes below are all either spoken by The Chorus or refer to The Chorus.
What is the message of Oedipus the king at the end?
At the end of Oedipus the King, the Chorus conflates the people of “Thebes” with the audience in the theater. The message of the play, delivered directly to that audience, is one of complete despair: “count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last” (1684). Because the Chorus, and not one of the individual characters,...
What is a chorus in drama?
Chorus, in the theater, is a group of singers and dancers who take part in a drama and are accompanied by music. Like in Oedipus Rex, the chorus sings lyrical, poetic kinds of comments during the pauses in the dramatic plot.
Why are Theban elders in Oedipus Rex?
Oedipus Rex is actually one play in a three-part series and all three of the plays have Theban elders as the chorus. Even though the city-states of ancient Greece had kings, like Oedipus, they also had councils of elders. A council of elders was important for the democratic function of the Greek government.
What is the role of the chorus?
The chorus speaks directly to the audience and may not interact with the main characters of a story at all. Their purpose is to underscore the moral themes, actions, character development, and messages of a story to the audience. The Greek chorus was prevalent in classical Greek drama of the 5th century BCE.
What does the chorus suggest to Oedipus?
Oedipus reappears with his eyes mutilated, and he and the chorus sing in lamentation; Oedipus blames Apollo; the chorus suggests that he would be better off dead (1298-1368). Oedipus counters that blindness is appropriate, since he cannot see the results of his actions, which he recounts in agony.
What does the chorus mean at the end of Oedipus?
The chorus glorifies the gods and destiny, rejecting human pride. In the ode, the chorus reflects Oedipus' emerging belief that the prophecies may be correct and that the gods will tear down the proud. Note especially the nostalgic tone of the conclusion, when the chorus laments the erosion of respect for prophecy.
What is the main function of the chorus in Oedipus?
The chorus is no longer used as a rule in the modem theater, but in some plays that use it, it is a group of singers and dancers who provide a suitable accompaniment for the action of a musical play. The basic role of the chorus in Oedipus Rex is to sing comments about the ongoing situations in the drama.
What does Oedipus think of the chorus at the beginning of the play?
Oedipus likes the chorus.
Who does the chorus represent 2 points?
The chorus represents the people of Thebes who cannot believe that Antigone could be the one to break the law.
What does the final speech of the chorus tell us about human life?
1. Q: What does the final speech of Choragos tell us about human life? A: The final speech of the Chorus looks back to reinforce one of the lessons of the play that the future is beyond human knowledge.
How does the chorus end?
The final scene (in the past again) shows Mathieu waiting for his bus after being fired. As he boards it, he looks back and finds Pépinot running after him, insisting that he come too. Initially, Mathieu refuses because it is not allowed, and he leaves Pépinot behind.
What role does a chorus play in tragedy What do we learn from the chorus in this play?
The chorus represents the people of Thebes's feelings and actions to the situations that arise in Thebes. In the play, we learn that the chorus helps foreshadow events and direct events in the story We learned that the chorus played a large role in helping us understand the multiple influences in the play.
What are the 5 themes of Oedipus Rex?
What are the major themes of Oedipus Rex? The play's major themes include sight versus blindness, fate versus free will, and actions versus punishment. Its more minor themes are guilt, power, justice, and ignorance.
What is the irony in Oedipus Rex?
Oedipus the King is a classic example of dramatic irony because the entire focus of the play is on Oedipus unknowingly condemning himself by demanding to know the truth about the murderer of the former king. The entire action of the play is built on the dramatic irony that the murderer that Oedipus seeks is himself.
What is the structure of tragedy in Oedipus Rex?
the five parts are: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and Denouement.
What warning does the chorus voice in ode 2?
What warning does the chorus voice in Ode 2? Any mortal who doesn't respect the gods will suffer.
What role does a chorus play in tragedy What do we learn from the chorus in this play?
The chorus represents the people of Thebes's feelings and actions to the situations that arise in Thebes. In the play, we learn that the chorus helps foreshadow events and direct events in the story We learned that the chorus played a large role in helping us understand the multiple influences in the play.
In which character does the chorus decide to put its faith Oedipus or Tiresias Why?
Oedipus is known as a great riddle solver because he figured out the riddle of the Sphinx. Whom does the Chorus believe, Oedipus or Tiresias? Why? Oedipus, because he saved them from the Riddle of the Sphinx and they are not sure if they can trust prophecies.
What role does the chorus play when it interacts with other characters?
The chorus serves as the primary medium between the audience and the characters of the play, revealing new perspectives to the audience that the characters themselves cannot show.
What is the chorus responsible for?
Conversely, the chorus is also responsible for announcing the arrival of Creon before another dramatic conversation between Creon and Oedipus concerning Oedipus’ future, saying, “Wait! Here Creon comes to hear your pleas and deal with your designs. He takes your place as sole custodian of the State” (Epilogue, 75).
Why does the chorus eliminate Oedipus from being a murderer?
Thus, the chorus decisively eliminates Oedipus from being a murderer because of his reputation. This reflects how oblivious Oedipus was even of his own crime, leading him to go out of his way to advocate and solve for “the death and downfall of a king” (Prologue, 10).
What does the chorus represent in Oedipus Rex?
In “Oedipus Rex,” the chorus represents the voice of the average citizens and contributes insight that cannot be communicated by the other characters in the play. The chorus moves along the story by announcing the arrival of characters and answering questions that help the plot progress. Sophocles also utilizes a chorus because it helps ...
What is the chorus of Oedipus?
Representing a body of regular citizens, the chorus is level-headed, agreeably predictable, and candid, often giving voice to the thoughts and questions of the audience. Most importantly, the chorus’ sympathy to Oedipus during this catastrophic period in his life pushes the audience to commiserate with the tragic hero.
What does the chorus say to Creon?
When speaking to Creon, the chorus sees Oedipus from afar and says, “ But look! He’s coming from the house himself.” (Second Episode, 29). The chorus has the imperative job of bringing to attention Oedipus’ arrival which leads to great conflict.
Why does the audience feel compassion for Oedipus?
The audience feels compassion for Oedipus because, despite the role of fate, he asserts that he has done wrong and has sinned against his mother, father, children and his city. Oedipus’ belief that he is worthless and abominable presses the audience’s heart.
Is Oedipus blind to his past?
Better live no longer” (Epilogue 74). Ironically, Oedipus is, for the first time in his life, not blind to his past. Indeed, it is a subjective matter whether physical blindness is more detrimental to a person than a mental or emotional blindness.
Why is Oedipus Rex a chorus?
Because Oedipus is the king of Thebes, having the chorus represent the elders of Thebes is appropriate for the play. Oedipus Rex is actually one play in a three-part series and all three of the plays have Theban elders as the chorus. Even though the city-states of ancient Greece had kings, like Oedipus, they also had councils of elders.
Why was the council of elders important?
A council of elders was important for the democratic function of the Greek government. Having the chorus represent a council of elders in Thebes shows the reaction of the city of Thebes to Oedipus and his acts. Lesson Summary.
What is the meaning of the name Oedipus Rex?
Oedipus Rex, the Greek play by Sophocles, is the story of Oedipus, who was the king of Thebes. ''Rex'' in Latin means ''king'' so ''Oedipus Rex'' means ''King Oedipus.''. In this play, King Oedipus unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother.
What is the chorus in Greek plays?
The purpose of the chorus is to act as the narrator of the story.
What is the first part of the chorus called?
The chorus speaks in poetry, traditionally while moving from one side of the stage to the other. The first part of this poetry is called the ''strophe,'' which is recited while the chorus moves from right to left.
What does it mean to enroll in a course?
Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams.
What is the purpose of the chorus?
The purpose of the chorus is to act as the narrator of the story. All of the members of the chorus dress the same way and wear identical masks. By wearing the same clothes and masks, the chorus is seen as one group, almost as one collective character.
What is the chorus of the classical Greek theater?
Like in Oedipus Rex , the chorus of the classical Greek theater would consist of representative citizens of the society which the drama was supposed to represent.
What is the chorus like in Oedipus Rex?
Like in Oedipus Rex, the chorus sings lyrical, poetic kinds of comments during the pauses in the dramatic plot. The group also dances and makes gestures and movements that are symbolic: their movements indicates the theme and creates the mood of the play. Sophocles. The music that they sing and the music in the background and the type ...
How many times does the chorus appear in Oedipus Rex?
The chorus appears five times in Oedipus Rex, and each ode they sing makes a reflection upon each climatic situation. The first song of chorus sound immediately after Oedipus has declared his resolution to trace the murderer of Laios.
What does the third ode of Oedipus mean?
In the third ode, they express a false wish that Oedipus were the son of the gods, but they do emphasize that we can never see the future.
What is the purpose of the Choric song?
The choric song also intensifies the sorrowful condition prevailing in the city. Sickness has our powered the city like an epidemic and no remedy is available. The second song is introduced just after Oedipus is accused of being a murderer himself.
Why did the chorus have to play the role of coming in between the two places?
Because the scene (stage) was too far away from the immense theatron (seeing place), the chorus had to play the role of coming in between the two places and making the audience overhear them more easily.
What is the third song about?
The third song is a meditation upon a serious defect of Oedipus's nature. In his dealing with Creon, Oedipus has exhibited extreme pride, arrogance and ill-temper. The chorus indirectly speaks of the possible fall of tyrants through pride. The fourth ode comes up while Oedipus is occupied by the crisis of his identity.
What does Oedipus think of the chorus?
Oedipus thinks that this means the Chorus also wants to see him... (full context) Moved by the chorus 's expression of loyalty, Oedipus allows Creon to go free, though he says that he still... (full context) The chorus tells Oedipus to remain hopeful until he questions the witness he has sent for.
What does the chorus tell Oedipus about Laius' servant?
Meanwhile, the chorus tells Oedipus that this other shepherd, Laius's old servant, is the same man as the... (full context) Lines 1311-1680. The chorus, left alone on stage, chants first of Oedipus's greatness among men, and then about how... (full context) The chorus and the messenger are struck with grief and pity.
What does the chorus tell Oedipus?
The chorus tells Oedipus to remain hopeful until he questions the witness he has sent for. Oedipus... (full context) The chorus, alone on stage, chants about the gods who rule the world from Olympus, striking down... (full context) Lines 998-1310. Jocasta reacts sharply to this last piece of news.
What is the chorus character analysis?
The Chorus Character Analysis. The Chorus. In this play, the chorus represents the elder citizens of Thebes, reacting to the events of the play. The chorus speaks as one voice, or sometimes through the voice of its leader.
Who warns Oedipus that Oedipus is the blind?
Tiresias warns Oedipus that Oedipus is the blind... (full context) The chorus enters, chanting about the murderer of Laius, pursued now by the gods and the words... (full context) Lines 709-997. ...Oedipus wants to have Creon banished or killed, Jocasta begs Oedipus to believe Creon. The chorus echoes her plea.
What does the chorus in Oedipus Rex represent?
Like the chorus in many Greek tragedies, the chorus in Oedipus Rex represents the voice of the greater society. The elders of the chorus are considered to represent men of Thebes who honor and respect the king and the gods. Their odes show both knowledge of religious culture as well as strong loyalty to the king.
What is the Greek chorus?
The Greek chorus originated from the ritualistic and ceremonial origins of Greek tragedy. Sophocles added three members of the chorus to Aeschylus's twelve.The Chorus' odes themselves are quite complicated songs, consisting of 3 parts. These are called, respectively, the strophe, the antistrophe, and the epode. In traditional productions, a dance would accompany the ode. If the strophe established the dance pattern, in the antistrophe the dancers trace backwards the same steps, ending the ode in a different way with the epode.
What is the role of the chorus in Oedipus Rex?
The role of the chorus in Oedipus Rex is to speak for the society in general. The chorus comments on the actions of the play's characters and provides a broad look at the story. Download PDF.
How long is the free trial for eNotes?
Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this answer and thousands more. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime.
What is a certified educator?
Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team.
Can you add videos to your watch history?
Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.
What role does the chorus play in Oedipus Rex?
The misery of the people of Thebes has been very graphically and poignantly depicted. The Chorus seems to lend a helping voice to me entreaties of the suffering Thebans. In fact all the odes say thing that ought to have been said at various stages of the play. The role of the chorus in pacifying Oedipus and Creon is particularly remarkable, it is the role of a moderator . But prior to playing this role, the chorus sides with Oedipus when he has an argument with Teiresias.
What is the role of chorus in classical tragedies?
The chorus in classical tragedies plays a very significant role. Aristotle in his Poetics traces the origin of tragedy in choric songs and hymns sung in praise of various gods particularly Dionysus. It is chorus that in the due course of time developed into tragedy and the choric songs gradually incorporated in them developed into dialogues. Tragedy later on consisted of dialogues and action but the role of chorus was still prominent though this role diminished as time passed. In Sophocles and Euripides the chorus seems to have been exploited differently, but it is still, there all the time for the spectators to see and hear. In Roman tragedies the Chorus only delivered speeches in between the acts. In Shakespeare, in some cases, the Chorus appears as an actor delivering the prologue and the epilogue. Aristotle praises Sophocles more for the proper exploitation of the chorus than he does Euripides. As he says:
Why is the chorus important in Shakespeare?
In Shakespeare, in the Elizabethan age, the role of the chorus seems to have almost diminished though its remnants can easily be traced in Shakespeare, Marlowe and Johnson. The comic relief that relieves high tension in Shakespeare can also be equated with choral odes in Greek tragedies.
What is the chorus in Greek tragedy?
The chorus in Greek tragedy arouse out of rituals. Lexically the word Chorus means ‘a company of dancers or singers’. Before its special use in the theatre, the chorus had been participants in Greek religious festivals, dancing and chanting.
What is the significance of the chorus?
To sum up we can say that the chorus has its significance not only viz-a-viz structural necessity but also the psychological state of mind of the spectators. The odes create an emotional background to the action. They point to the significance of certain facts and also reflect the outlook of the society. Its function, therefore, is not only to mark off scenes and events, but also to control the emotional reaction of the spectators to events taking place on the stage. With the passage of time as the interest of the people in psychology, anthropology and other social sciences increased, more personal and complex stories began to be adopted for the stage and it diminished the significance and role of the chorus.
Is chorus an interpolation?
As a matter of fact, in most Greek tragedies Chorus does not seem to be an undesirable interpolation rather it contributes positively to the over-all structure of the play.
Who said that the chorus should be given the status of an actor?
Aristotle acknowledged the importance of the chorus and maintains that should be given the status of an actor. But this statement should not be taken too literally. The chorus does at times talk to the characters in tragedy and is found to be advising some of them but it never takes a hand in the action of the play directly rather it influences the action indirectly.
What is the chorus at the end of Oedipus at Colonus?
The Chorus at the end of Oedipus at Colonus seems genuinely to express the thought that there is nothing left to say, because everything rests in the hands of the gods. As with Oedipus’s death, the Chorus expresses no great struggle here, only a willing resignation that makes the play seem hopeful—if ambivalently so—rather than despairing. Oedipus’s wandering has, it seems, done some good. The final chorus of Antigone, on the other hand, seems on the surface much more hopeful than either of the other two but is actually much more ominous and ambivalent. Antigone ends with a hope for knowledge—specifically the knowledge that comes out of suffering. This ending is quite different from the endings of the other two plays, from a mere truism about death or the fact that fate lies outside human control. The audience can agree with and believe in a statement like “Wisdom is by far the greatest part of joy,” and perhaps feel that Creon has learned from his suffering, like Antigone seemingly did at the beginning of the play.
What does the chorus believe about Antigone?
Antigone represents the last events in a series begun by Oedipus the King, but it was written before either of the other two Oedipus plays.
What is the chorus in Oedipus?
The Chorus reacts to events as they happen, generally in a predictable, though not consistent, way. It generally expresses a longing for calm and stability. For example, in Oedipus the King, it asks Oedipus not to banish Creon (725–733); fearing a curse, it attempts to send Oedipus out of Colonus in Oedipus at Colonus (242–251);
Why does the chorus make it sound like Oedipus is dead?
Because the Chorus, and not one of the individual characters, delivers this message , the play ends by giving the audience a false sense of closure. That is, the Chorus makes it sound like Oedipus is dead, and their final line suggests there might be some relief. But the audience must immediately realize, of course, that Oedipus is not dead.
What is the chorus' message at the end of Oedipus the King?
At the end of Oedipus the King, the Chorus conflates the people of “Thebes” with the audience in the theater. The message of the play, delivered directly to that audience, is one of complete despair: “count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last” (1684).
What is the ending of Antigone?
This ending is quite different from the endings of the other two plays, from a mere truism about death or the fact that fate lies outside human control.
Where does Oedipus wander?
He wanders, blind and miserable, somewhere outside of Thebes. The audience, like Oedipus, does not know what the future holds in store. The play’s ability to universalize, to make the audience feel implicated in the emotions of the Chorus as well as those of the protagonist, is what makes it a particularly harrowing tragedy, ...