The Chorus in Greek Tragedy

The Chorus in Greek Tragedy

·         Originally was made up of 50 members.

·         But was later reduced to 12 and then 15 members.

·         The chorus usually performed in unison.

·         Sometimes, it was divided into 2 semichoruses.

·         The chorus leader sometimes had solo lines.

·         The chorus usually enters the stage after the prologue or opening scene and remains until the end of the play.

Roles Played By The Chorus

·         The chorus played the role of an actor in the play - it expressed its opinions on the circumatance of the play, gave advise to the main actor and sympathetically allied with the protagonist. (Read Oedipus The King).

·         It established the standard against which the characters' actions werejudged. It provided the ethical framework for morality judgement.

·         It was frequently the ideal spectator. It took part in the unfolding of the play even as it served as an audience.

·         The chorus helped to set the mood of the play. It contributed to the generic dramatic effect the play produced.

·         It added colour, movement and spectacle with powerful auditory and visual appeals.

·         It served an important rhythmitic function.