The Role of the Chorus in the Play Oedipus

However, the Greek kept the continuity between these natural gaps, by having a narrative section. the voice of reason during moments of heated debate, the voice of fear and confusion during Oedipus’ downfall, which seems to mirror the audience’s reaction and emotion in many situations throughout the play.

I will explain in this paragraph why I think the Chorus is used to keep the continuity during the play. The Chorus are also used as a sort of receptive audience for passages of description over what has gone on behind closed doors (after Jocasta has realized the truth the second messenger describes the scene inside the palace to the Chorus: “Within the porch, made straightway for the couch, Her bridal bed, with both hands tore her hair” – Line 1294). This prevented the necessity of having breaks in the action and also kept the audience up to date with what had just gone on, and perhaps offering some insight or other. This function is vital to the success of the play. In this role, I think the Chorus is very helpful to the audience, as it succeeds in keeping the audience ‘on the edge of their seats’. These are the reasons why I believe the role of the chorus is offering a sort of running narrative for the audience. I have explained how bystanders, running narrative and keeping the continuity are all part of the chorus role in the play.

I will explain in this paragraph why I think the Chorus role is to offer a sort of running narrative for the audience. at the end of the first scene, the chorus clarifies the diseased state that the city of Thebes has descended into: “On the soil, plague-breeding, lie Infants unpitied, cast out ruthlessly; And wives and mothers, gray with hoary age, Some here, some there, by every altar mourn” – Line 187). These are the reasons why I believe the chorus was used to keep the continuity during the play.