The Role of the Chorus in the Play Oedipus

A detailed Summary of The Role of the Chorus in the Play Oedipus


In this essay I will discuss three roles that of the chorus in the play Oedipus.

First I will explain the use of the chorus as bystanders throughout the play. Second, I will explain the role of offering a sort of running narrative for the audience. Third, I will describe how the chorus is used to keep the continuity during the play.

I will explain in this paragraph how the chorus was used as bystanders throughout the play. The chorus act as bystanders throughout the play, observing what goes on, reacting and offering opinions at regular intervals throughout the play (e.g. when Oedipus accuses Creon irrationally of conspiring against him, the Chorus says "To one who fears to fall, he speaketh well; O king, swift counsels are not always safe."- line 645) In this role they are important to the play as they often offer


I will explain in this paragraph why I think the Chorus is used to keep the continuity during the play. In modern theatre, the plays are normally split up into scenes and acts. However, the Greek kept the continuity between these natural gaps, by having a narrative section. This prevented the necessity of having breaks in the action and also kept the audience up to date with what had just gone on, and perhaps offering some insight or other. In this role, I think the Chorus is very helpful to the audience, as it succeeds in keeping the audience 'on the edge of their seats'. These are the reasons why I believe the chorus was used to keep the continuity during the play.

I will explain in this paragraph why I think the Chorus role is to offer a sort of running narrative for the audience. This function is vital to the s

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 555
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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