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In ancient Greek plays, the chorus played an important part in the telling of the story. They were considered the narrator of the play, and often sang songs between speeches and continued the story between scenes.
In modern American musicals, the chorus usually functions as the "choir." Singing large songs, act openings and closing, moving the story forward, and singing backup for the principals.
In some ways, the chorus hasn't changed much since the ancient Greek days!
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoEntertain the audience, enhance the workings of the plot, and explain characters and events are the chorus' functions in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the chorus in a Greek play is made up of dancers and singers. These dancers and singers represent a chorus of Theban elders. As dancers and singers, they signal the end of one episode or scene and the beginning of another. That signaled interlude between episodes or scenes is called the stasimon.
During their interludes, the dancers and singers move and sing through their parts. But that does not mean that chorus members lack regular, non-singing parts. In fact, the chorus has a designated choir leader who additionally has spoken interactions with other characters in the play. Through the sung parts of the entire chorus and the spoken parts of the chorus leader, the chorus carries out an additional responsibility to the reading and viewing audience. They comment on characters and situations as these characters appear and as these situations develop in the play.
In Stasimon 1, Sophocles has the chorus pray to the gods that Thebes be saved from the plague. In Stasimon2, the chorus inquires into the identity of Laius' killer. In Stasimon 3, the chorus comments on the course of the action in the drama.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoGive background information, explain the actions of the characters, and entertain are the purposes of the chorus in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, the chorus is made up of Theban elders, who are respected citizens of accomplishment and wisdom. They inform the audience of relevant details about divine will and human experience in ancient Greece. They also comment on the interactions between the characters. Additionally, they aim to please by their dances and observations between each episode.
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What is the Structure of Greek Tragedy?
It was meant for everyone to enjoyIt was designed to ask tough questionsIt was meant to be educationalComedy and Tragedy were the most popular themes in plays.
What was the purpose of a chorus in a greek tragedy?
The Greek chorus was a group of approximately twelve actors who acted similar to modern narrators in Greek plays. They were integral to the plays and would sometimes have over half of the lines. Their job was to comment on the action in the play, either by speaking all together or by singing. They would dress similarly and wear masks. The role of the Greek chorus was to provide time for scene changes, give the main actors a break and time to prepare for the next scene, offer background information and information about the main themes, to offer an insight into a character's thoughts and feelings, and just generally act as a go-between for the audience and the actors. Incidentally, battles and murders were not allowed to be performed in Greek theatres and so the chorus would tell the audience of such events instead of them being acted out.
What are the two types of drama?
Comedy and Tragedy. Although actually Shakespeare wrote as many Histories as he did Tragedies (10). Comedies were what he wrote the most (18).
What can the chorus leader do that the other chorus members cannot do in ancient Greek theater?
Interact directly with non-chorus characters is what the chorus leader can do that the other chorus members cannot do in ancient Greek theater.Specifically, the chorus is made up of respected, wise elders. Its members instruct the audience by explaining offstage and past events as well as onstage happenings. They entertain by dancing and singing across the stage. But they cannot interact directly with characters outside the chorus. Only the chorus leader can interact with both chorus and non-chorus members in the play.
What song is used to introduce the chorus on Greek Theatre?
The "parodos".
What was the importance of the Chorus during the Greek Tragedy?
nothing
Why did Thespis change the Greek chorus?
He created "tragedy"
Chorus in Electra?
The Chorus in Electra, the Greek tragedy by Euripides, consisted of the virgin country women from Mycenae.
What were the functions of chorus in Greek tragedy?
to provide a commentary on what is happening
What does chorus means in greek?
χορόςIn tragedy the term stated the choir (
How many people acted in a greek theatre performance?
In ancient Greek tragedy, the number of actors was limited to three, but the chorus and chorus leader could also be used.
What is protagonist of a Greek tragedy as what?
the protagonist in a greek tragedy must be
Who is considered the father of greek tragedy?
Aeschylus is recognized as the father of Greek tragedy
What was used in Elizabethan tragedy but not in a greek tragedy?
A comic foil
Which was part of Elizabethan tragedy but not greek tragedy?
comic foil
How did Greek Philosopher Aristotle describe tragedy?
Greek philosophy describes tragedy as an "imitation of an action"
What is a chorus in musical theatre?
== == A group of actors who function as a unit, called a chorus, was a characteristic feature of the Greek tragedy. The members of the chorus shared a common identity, such as Asian Bacchantes or old men of Thebes. The choragos (leader of the chorus) sometimes spoke and acted separately. In some of the plays, the chorus participated directly in the action; in others they were restricted in observing the action and commenting on it. The chorus also separated the individual sins by singing and dancing choral odes, though just what the singing and dancing were like is uncertain. The odes were in strict metrical patterns; sometimes they were direct comments on the action and characters, and at other times they were more general statements and judgments. A chorus in Greek fashion is not common in later plays, although there are instances such as T.S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral, in which the Women of Canterbury serve as a chorus.
