The Use of the Chorus in Oedipus the King
Oedipus the King is a dynamic tale, expertly making use of all assets available to forge and shape a truly spellbinding play. As Sophocles weaves the plot throughout the tragedy, he manages to increase the tension and pace of the story through the development of all assets, particularly with regards to the role of the Chorus. In the beginning, the Chorus attempts to position itself in the audience's mind as the population of Thebes, and functions largely as petitioners, relatively indecisive to the plot. The play moves on, though, and by the middle third, the Chorus begins to act as a moderator, providing a sober perspective on the heated arguments that rage throughout, attempting to infuse the arguing parties with the spirit of reconciliation, or at least keep the tempers from taking control of the characters' actions. As the end approaches, the Chorus does indeed render judgment upon Oedipus, condemning him, in the eyes of the audience and himself as the cause of the plague of Thebes. The Chorus of Oedipus the King starts the play as mere petitioners, seemingly unimportant in the grand plot swirling about them, but gradually become more involved, taking active roles in the progress of the story, until the climax, where the C
In the beginning, they have found themselves threatened by the plague that has descended on Thebes, and so open the play by petitioning for help. There is no sword of thought which will protect us" (12). Here, at the end of all things, the Chorus has finally realized its potential as a major and integral part of the plot, and a prime standard bearer of the ongoing themes, particular the respect to pity view of Oedipus, that really makes this story such a tragedy. By the middle third, the Chorus plays a small role as mediator. To a certain extent, the Chorus does manage to accomplish this goal, keeping the parties from breaking into violent disagreement, though reconciliation proves to be beyond the powers of the Chorus. men of all ages-some not yet strong enough to fly far from the nest, others heavy with age, priests, of Zeus in my case, and these are picked men from the city's youth" (2). This transformation from the meek fear of the opening third, to the judgmental pity of the final third is a major theme progressed by the Chorus, proved as they lament Oedipus:O suffering dreadful for mankind to see, most dreadful of all I ever saw. In the beginning, they serve only as respectful observers, mindful of their station but grieved by the darkness that has befallen Thebes. The evolution of the Chorus throughout is certainly quite profound, bringing together the many varied elements of the story into one dynamic play, lending authenticity and genuine distress to the dire straits of tragic Oedipus, once King of mighty Thebes. I have many questions to ask you, much I wish to know; my eyes are drawn towards you-but I cannot bear to look. It is the petitioning of the Chorus that first brings to light the fit of evil that befalls the city, and sets Oedipus on his doomed quest to solve the problems.
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Acceptance Essays
