As man conquers the natural forces of the world, his mental focus shifts from simply surviving to answering humanity's enduring question: Why? Writers are inspired by the fabric of their society—current events, historical milestones, and popular morality. The Greeks' skill in weaving stories and imagery was so intricately powerful that a complete universe was created in their legends. The chorus was one of the primary tools for elegantly setting the stage for such detailed works. In Mythology, Edith Hamilton exalts the works of Aeschylus, which heavily employ the chorus for context, saying “With Homer, they are the most important source for our knowledge of the myths.” (17) The chorus provides insight to classicists, and it can inspire audiences as well. The chorus in Greek drama provides vital information, establishes tone, and serves as a mirror for the moral ambit of the audience that allows for relatively short works containing dense moral content.
The typical chorus consists of mortal citizens, but a preface to this tool is seen in Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. As the saga opens, the Olympian gods are gathered in an assembly that is mimicked in later dramatic works. Not only do the gods provide information about Odysseus's plight, they discuss Orestes's vengeance for his father and facilitate the introduction of young Telemakhos. In Agamemnon, Aeschylus uses a gathering of old noblemen to fill that role. Before Agamemnon's climax, the audience is fully prepared for Clytaemnestra's actions by the combination of learning about Iphigenia's death and of hints of Clytaemenstra's infidelity. The allusions as sometimes symbolic, but sometimes the chorus's understanding of the complexities of the situation are all to clear: “B...
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* Scully, J & Herington, C.J., Aeschylus: Prometheus Bound (Oxford University Press, New York 1975)
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Aeschylus. The Oresteia. Trans. Richmond Lattimore. Ed. David Grene and Richmond Lattimore. Chicago: University of Chicago Press 1953.
As Homer’s The Iliad begins, Achilleus, a god-like mortal and the greatest among all warriors, comes into light as a lead character; one whom brings about the complex issues within the poem. The poem forms while illustrating different overlying ideals such as anger, honor, greed, destruction, forgiveness, and others. Characters come and go, displaying the ideals and warlike lifestyle housed by the warrior-like men of ancient Greece throughout the text; however, Achilleus’ character develops portraying new and different values and beliefs of a soldier of his stature.
In The Odyssey by Homer, there are three archetypes from Greek culture that modern readers can still relate to today: Scylla and Charybdis, Odysseus revealed himself to his son, and the Sirens. Homer wrote archetypes that still apply to modern teenagers today. Homer wrote great literature with several interesting archetypes, that even today's culture can understand and relate to almost three thousand years later. Homer (approx 850-750 B.C) is credited with writing The Iliad and the Odyssey. For almost three thousand years,these epic poems have captured readers imaginations and inspired countless works of art and literature. An “epic” is a long narrative poem. Modern readers gain insights about ancient Greek
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Kardaun, Maria S. "Greek Tragedy As A Challenge To Modernism: A Depth Psychological Perspective." Psyart(2011): 10. ContentSelect Research Navigator. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.
Aeschylus. “The Oresteia.” Aeschylus: The Oresteia. Tran. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Books, 1979. 99-277.
Gainor, J. Ellen., Stanton B. Garner, and Martin Puchner. The Norton Anthology of Drama, Shorter Edition. New York: W. W. Norton &, 2010. Print.
In conclusion, the chorus was very much needed in the play Oedipus the King. It served as the main gateway into the citizens feelings regarding the problems. Even though the chorus was subtle in the play it played an important role. I think stories should include something similar to concessions. It can bring a better insight about the story from someone who witnesses everything
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What is the Role of the Chorus in Oedipus the King? In answering this question, I will look at the question in two ways. Firstly, I will look at the role of the chorus objectively, examining the basic role of the chorus in the play, and looking at the role of the Chorus as Sophocles would have intended the role of the Chorus to be understood. However, I will then look at how I think the Greek audience would have perceived the role of the Chorus and then how the role of the Chorus is perceived today in the 20th century and examine the key differences in the two different sets of perceptions. Finally, I will look at the importance of the role of the Chorus to a 20th century audience and a Greek audience.
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