In Greek tragedy, the chorus is a grope of persons
who speak, remark, sing or advise according to the demand of the plot. In most
of the Greek tragedies we find the activities of the chorus. The chorus has its
own tradition, philosophy and mode. History attests (certify) the fact that the
chorus is a vital role in Greek tragedy. The role of the chorus changes from
playwright to playwright.
The function of the chorus is to sing songs at
appropriate intervals, commenting on the characters and the development of the
plot. But it also participates in the dialogue and the action of the play. The
choral song is the media of expressing emotion or moral of the audience.
Sophocles makes use of chorus with great advantage. Let’s discuss the function
of the chorus elaborately.
The chorus consists of twelve or fifteen ‘Elders’ of
Thebes and sings about six songs. It doesn’t speak towards the audience but it
presents the view point of faith of Thebes as a whole. It provides many
necessary information for the audience.
The first song of the chorus serves the emotion of
Thebes as a whole. It is highly a patriotic song as well as it reveals
religious or moral significance. It criticizes the boast of man. It also refers
to power of Almighty God.
The second song of the chorus is a glorification of
man. Among the many wonder of earth the greatest is man. Man rides on the ocean
and his way through the dangerous sea. He is the master of ageless earth. He
can work hard and plough crops every year. He is the lord of all creatures of
the earth. He is cunning to capture and dominate them with hand. He makes the
use of language to converse. He finds the laws of living together. He makes the
building to shelter himself from rain and wintry weather. Man has ability to be
good or bad. The person is honorable who obeys the laws of God.
The third song of the chorus refers to the curse of Labdacus’
family which still continues to Antigone. Antigone, the last victimized member
of the house is going to die for pride tounge. The law of Zeus is that human
being is to suffer. Roving ambition rises men but it also brings downfall to
many others. Thus, the choral songs remind the audience about the family
tragedy of Labdacus. At the same time the chorus considers Antigone to be
guilty. The chorus ends with the arrival of Haemon.
The subject of the fourth song is power and might of
love. Love wings all battles and defeats all forces. Love can mislead one. It
can cause a serious rift in the family. In this way, the chorus refers the
talking of Creon and Haemon. Haemon comes to correct Creon of his misjudgment
of Antigone. This song participates also Creon’s law.
The fifth song is sung after the lamentation of Antigone. It also refers to the same punishment of others. The song doesn’t
bring about the consolation to Antigone but refers to the same example of human
sufferings.
The last song of the chorus is an appeal to
Dionysus. It describes that Dionysus has many names. He is the son of Zeus. In
this song Chorus realizes that the city is polluted by the misdeed of the king.
So, it wishes Dionysus to help the people of Thebes.
Antigone is a famous play of Sophocles. It is a
tragic tale with a tragic ending. The chorus brings us a different story. It
plays a very significant part of the play Antigone. First it relaxes the
watcher or the reader from the suspense. Second, it teaches. Third, it tells
some past characters in the play to know them better.
The chorus is not only the major part of Antigone
but also the most insightful part of this play. The members of chorus tell
Creon and the audience very important truths about themselves. The chorus talks
about death, love and other forces. It shows the problems which we face
throughout our life.
Through the chorus the king begins to see that he is
wrong and God is superior to himself. This play also tells us a lot about
humans in general that they are not interested in anything but the fulfillment
of their own needs. And they refuse to see that something may be more powerful
than themselves. This revealing is the main theme of the play.
This play could not exist without the chorus. The
singers give too much to the structure of the play. The king changes greatly
throughout the play, he starts as a best friend but latter in the play he
becomes more and more ruthless. Without them Creon could never changed as a
person. He also learns through them some important things about love, especially
that is unconquerable.
This entire (full) play runs around the chorus,
who gives insight to the characters. These actors provides the audience with
knowledge about the human condition and entertain. Without their odes (songs)
the play would have been incomplete
