A stasimon is a choral ode in ancient Greek tragedy, typically performed by the chorus while the action of the play is paused. It reflects on the themes, characters, and events of the story, often providing commentary or insight. Stasima are usually structured in a specific metrical form and can vary in length. They serve to deepen the audience's understanding of the play's emotional and moral complexities.
E. Mehliss has written: 'Das erste Stasimon der Choephoren'
During the First Stasimon in ancient Greek drama, the Protagonist typically listens to the Chorus and may respond with a brief speech or dialogue. This section of the play serves as a reflection on the events that have transpired and helps to build tension and emotion leading into the next part of the narrative.
In the first stasimon of a Greek tragedy, the chorus is typically confused or disturbed by the events unfolding in the play. They may express uncertainty about the situation, question the actions of the characters, or contemplate the consequences of the unfolding events. The confusion is meant to mirror the audience's own feelings of uncertainty and suspense.
According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 3 words with the pattern -TAS----. That is, eight letter words with 2nd letter T and 3rd letter A and 4th letter S. In alphabetical order, they are: stashies stashing stasimon
According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 1 words with the pattern --ASIM--. That is, eight letter words with 3rd letter A and 4th letter S and 5th letter I and 6th letter M. In alphabetical order, they are: stasimon
According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 1 words with the pattern S-AS-M-N. That is, eight letter words with 1st letter S and 3rd letter A and 4th letter S and 6th letter M and 8th letter N. In alphabetical order, they are: stasimon
One of the most helpful active reading techniques for an ancient Greek tragedy like "Antigone" is to annotate the text while reading. This involves underlining key passages, noting character motivations, and summarizing themes in the margins. Additionally, paying attention to the structure of the play—such as the use of stasimon and episodes—can enhance understanding of the narrative and its emotional impact. Engaging with historical context and philosophical questions posed by the characters can further deepen comprehension and appreciation of the work.
Following is a list of natural imagery that is used in the choral odes in the play "Antigone" by ancient Greek playwright Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).In the Parados:1. "Eye of golden day" describes the suns;2. An eagle with snow-white edges to outer rear edges of his wings describes Polyneices;3. An eagle's plumage describes the soldiers of Polyneices;4. A fight between an eagle and a dragon describes the battle that takes place outside Thebes just before the action of the play;5. "Clanging gold" describes the combined forces of disgruntled Thebans and invading Argives that attack Thebes;In Stasimon 1:6. "The eldest of the gods" describes the Earth;7. Plows describe the hooves of the horses;8. The wind describes thoughts;9. Arrows describe frost and rain;In Stasimon 2:10. Vexation to the headlands against which it blows describes the wind during a storm;11. A roar describes the response of the headlands to the wind mentioned above;12. A snare by which everybody gets caught describes sleep.
According to SOWPODS (the combination of Scrabble dictionaries used around the world) there are 39 words with the pattern -T-----N. That is, eight letter words with 2nd letter T and 8th letter N. In alphabetical order, they are: ethephon etherion ethician staffman staffmen staghorn stallion stallman stallmen staragen stasimon steapsin steelman steelmen stegodon stellion sternson stickman stickmen stickpin stiction stillion stillman stillmen stockman stockmen storeman storemen stowdown straiten stricken stridden strooken stroupan strucken stubborn stuntman stuntmen sturgeon
The provision of musical interludes in the intervals between the scenes of the play is one role of the chorus. The interval is called the 'stasimon'. The scene is called an 'episode'. The provision of a commentary on what happens in the play is another chorus role. So the roles come down to education and entertainment.The chorus conforms to society by making sure that it meets the expectations of the audience. That audience is drawn from segments of ancient Greek society. The ancient Greek audience expects to find a certain length and meter in the choral odes. They expect to hear the chorus singing and see the chorus dancing in first one direction and then the opposite. They expect to understand the play's backgroundand course of events through the choral commentaries. They expect to witness the transmission of legends and myths that reconcile the actions of mortals with the will of the gods.
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!
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.