Describe the role of the Chorus in King Oedipus.
Oedipus Rex is a notable literary work by Sophocles. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Oedipus Rex.
Answer
Describe the role of the Chorus in King Oedipus.
The chorus is the exceptional or fundamental part of the Geek tragedies. Initially, they give a religious message through singing and dancing on the stage. To put it differently, the chorus was a group of personalities consisting of twelve or fifteen elder citizens. They expressed prophecies for the audience from a religious and moral point of view. They play a role and function as representatives of citizens or audiences in critical moments. Sophocles (496-406 BC) vividly mentions the chorus in his iconic play, Oedipus Rex, which was first performed around 429 BC.
Moral and Ethical Commentary: The Chorus used to be an essential part of ancient Greek drama, and its role was considered vital. The chorus properly enters only after the prologue. They act as a collective voice of the community. They provide moral and ethical commentary on the unfolding events. They express the Theban citizen’s general sentiments, fears, and concerns. For instance, they convey wisdom when stating,
Time, which sees all things, has found you out.
Reflecting Theban Society: The chorus represents the thoughts and concerns of the Theban people. They express the city’s collective emotions, fears, and beliefs. They vocalize communal sentiments, such as grief and terror. This is seen in lines 1284-1287,
O royal Oedipus! Alas, how dread
The direful match, how sore the marriage-bed!
Providing Context and Background: The Chorus also offers historical and contextual information. They enhance the audience’s understanding. They clarify past events and their importance, shaping the narrative’s backdrop. For example, they reveal the plague’s misery in Thebes and its connection to the unresolved murder of King Laius. This highlights the city’s turmoil.
Emotional Amplification: The Chorus intensifies the emotional resonance of critical moments. Their lamentations and empathetic expressions heighten the tragic atmosphere. When Oedipus’s true identity is revealed, the Chorus amplifies the tension by echoing the audience’s shock and grief, lamenting in lines 1175-1176,
What doom more darkly dire
Could fall on our beleaguered city’s head?
Bridging Dialogue and Action: The Chorus bridges dialogue and action. They often offer insights or reflections that articulate the emotional feelings. In moments of tension, they add thoughtful observations, linking the narrative’s different elements. As Oedipus confronts Tiresias, the Chorus interferes,
Too often the man has turned out right in the past
Group of lyrical singers: The chorus expresses the raging plague in Thebes and a message from Delphi through the first song. Though the prologue has given these ideas, the song of the Chorus does not mention a sense of repetition; rather, it immediately creates a mood of fear and nervousness. The chorus sings the second song after the curse of Oedipus as a blind beggar by Teiresias. It mentions its feeling of perplexity given the accusation. The third song shows the laws of the gods and the pride of Oedipus and Jocasta. The fourth song deals with the royal origin of Oedipus, which is full of tragic irony, and the last ode expresses short-lived happiness.
Providing Catharsis and Closure: Ultimately, the Chorus provides catharsis. They reflect on the moral lessons derived from the tragedy. They offer closure and summarize the lessons learned from the devastating consequences of hubris (excessive pride) and fate. In the closing lines, the Chorus laments,
Count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last
Messenger for the universe: In every situation, the Chorus expresses a moral message and lesson for the audience. The conflict of the Chorus is the conflict of the audience. The chorus tells the universe that if one wants to avoid the prophecy of God or the Oracle, he will get a punishment like Oedipus and Jocasta.
In conclusion, we can assert that the role and function of the Chorus are individual in the Greek play Oedipus Rex, They play a vital role as the main character and give moral lessons for the universe.