Role of the Chorus in Oedipus the King Essay -- Oedipus the King Oedip

What is the Role of the let loose in Oedipus the King ? In answering this question, I will look at the question in both ways. Firstly, I will look at the position of the chorus objectively, examining the basic function of the chorus in the play, and looking at the government agency 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 Hellenic audience would have perceived the role of the Chorus and then how the role of the Chorus is perceived today by a 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 classic audience respectively. The Chorus in the play Oedipus has three basic functions. Firstly, to procedure as bystanders end-to-end the play, observing what goes on, reacting and offering opinions at regular intervals throughout the play (e.g. when Oedipu s accuses Croon irrationally of conspiring against him, the Chorus says To one who fears fall, his words expect good O king, swift counsels are not always right) In this role they are important to the play as they lots offer the voice of reason during moments of heated debate, the voice of fear and murkiness during Oedipus downfall, which seems to mirror the audiences reaction and emotion in many situations throughout the play. The Chorus are also used as a sort of clear audience for passages of description over what has gone on behind close doors (e.g. after Jocasta has realised the truth the second messenger describes the aspect in spite of appearance the palace to the Chorus Within the porch, straight to the couch she rushed, her bridal bed, and part her hair) Secondly,... ... happens. Also they maintain the continuity as their being depict removes any need for scene or act changes. In the Greek theatre they take on a significant role of emphasising the plot line b y groups speaking in unison rather than one star actor trying to reach the ears of around 17,000 listeners. They were after-all a very inseparable part of Greek theatre and their absence would certainly reflect an unpredictable presentation. They also keep the emotion running as any scene changing can be done during their narrative sections. In a 20th Century production the chorus perform a manifestly less essential role. As there would be ample elaborateness of sound the chorus could be projected to the role of town kin who would fit into the structure of the play neatly. Works CitedSophocles. Oedipus Rex. New York Dover Publications, Inc., 1991.