The Chorus is a group of actors that together speak, sing, and dance in one body. The Chorus is part ritual part thematic device that play a much larger role in Greek Tragedy than in the other genres. One of the primary functions of the chorus is
to provide atmosphere and, in some ways, underscore the tragic action
.
What role does the chorus play in a tragedy?
The chorus in Classical Greek drama was a group of actors who described and commented upon the main action of a play with
song, dance, and recitation
.
What is the importance of the chorus in Greek tragedy?
The purpose of the Greek chorus was
to provide background and summary information to the audience to help them understand what was going on in the performance
. Because Greek theatres were so large, the members of the chorus had to work hard to look and sound like one person.
What are three functions of the chorus?
They function, scholars have suggested variously,
to offer a sense of rich spectacle to the drama
; to provide time for scene changes and give the principle actors a break; to offer important background and summary information that facilitates an audience’s ability to follow the live performance; to offer commentary …
What is the function of chorus in the casting process?
It
explains the situation and evaluates characters like a good critic
. We can say that the chorus fill in the gaps in the action when no other character is there on the stage. They add to it the element of melody. The Chorus takes part in the dialogues also.
Why is a chorus important?
The choral singers surveyed say that their
singing contributes to positive personal qualities
like optimism, resilience, and mindfulness. They report stronger relationships and better social skills than the general public and credit singing in a chorus with helping them feel less alone or lonely.
What is an example of a chorus?
The definition of a chorus is a group of singers or a refrain in a song. An example of a chorus is
a church choir
. An example of a chorus is the part of a song that repeats several times. … A group of dancers and singers performing together in a modern musical show, opera, etc.
What is the leader of a Greek chorus called?
Greek choruses originally had anywhere between 12 and 50 singers and dancers, but many modern iterations of the Greek chorus are smaller. There is always a chorus leader, called
the coryphaeus
, who speaks for the rest of the group.
What acting skills are used in Greek chorus?
As the Greek theatres were so large, the chorus’ actions had to be exaggerated and their voices clear so that everyone could see and hear them. To do this, they used techniques such as
synchronization, echo, ripple, physical theatre and the use of masks to aid them
. A Greek chorus was often led by a coryphaeus.
What was the main purpose of a Greek chorus quizlet?
What was the function of the chorus in Greek theater? The chorus
represented the point of view of the spectator and interpreted and commented upon the characters, their words, and actions
.
What is the role of the chorus in Romeo and Juliet?
In the prologue to Romeo and Juliet, the chorus sets the scene. It
provides useful background information concerning the long-running feud between the Montagues and the Capulets
. Not only that, it also tells us that Romeo and Juliet, the star-cross’d lovers, will tragically die.
What character does the chorus represent in Antigone?
In Antigone, the chorus represents
the elder citizens of Thebes
. Sophocles’s choruses react to the events of the play. The chorus speaks as one voice, or sometimes through the voice of its leader.
Why did the Greek chorus wear masks?
Actors wore masks
so that the audience may see the facial expression clearly, allow them to tell the characters apart and make the theme of the story (comedy or tragedy)
clearly obvious to the spectators. The masks in Greek theatre consisted of comedy and tragedy, and were always the main themes of the performances.
Who does the chorus represent in Oedipus?
In the specific case of Oedipus Rex, the chorus of the play is a group that represents
the Theban elders
. Because Oedipus is the king of Thebes, having the chorus represent the elders of Thebes is appropriate for the play.
What is the chorus saying in Oedipus Rex?
At the end of Oedipus the King, the Chorus conflates the people of “Thebes” with the audience in the theater. The message of the play, delivered directly to that audience, is one of complete despair:
“count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last
” (1684).
Who does the chorus represent?
Role of the Chorus
In Greek tragedies, the chorus represented
the average citizen’s fears, hopes, and judgments
. In the play Antigone by Sophocles, the chorus and chorus leader represent the people of Thebes who attempt to talk rationality into the main character, Antigone, and the king, Creon.
