What did the Greek chorus do?

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 are the three functions of the chorus?

The main functions of the Chorus are to comment on the action of the play, give back story, and to connect the play to other myths.

What does the chorus represent in Greek tragedy?

The chorus represents, on stage, the general population of the particular story, in sharp contrast with many of the themes of the ancient Greek plays which tended to be about individual heroes, gods, and goddesses. They were often the same sex as the main character.

What is the role of chorus in a play?

The role of the chorus in drama is much like the role of the narrator of a novel or story. The chorus provides some structure to the narrative and can provide information and commentary that need not be in the actors’ lines. The chorus can also provide foreshadowing or humor.

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 are three functions of the chorus in Greek tragedy?

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 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?

In Attic drama, the coryphaeus, corypheus, or koryphaios (Greek κορυφαῖος koryphaîos, from κορυφή koryphḗ́, the top of the head) was the leader of the chorus. Hence the term (sometimes in an Anglicized form “coryphe”) is used for the chief or leader of any company or movement.

What does Choragus mean?

1: the leader of a chorus or choir broadly: the leader of any group or movement. 2: a leader of a dramatic chorus in ancient Greece.

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 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.

What qualities did Greeks admire?

Traits such as cleverness, strength and beauty were all highly admired by the Greeks and was constantly shown in their myths and art. And such traits were embodied in their gods and heroes to show the people of the time what to stride for, so these characteristics must have been very important to their society.

What do we learn from the chorus in Oedipus?

The role of chorus in Oedipus Rex is very significant. They provide atmosphere, underscore the tragic action. In some ways, the Chorus can represent the audience’s ideal response to the play. Chorus, and its chants and songs, helped the audience better connect with the character, revealing the essence of the tragedy.

Why is the chorus important?

Firstly, according to a view accepted by many scholars, the chorus would provide commentary on actions and events that were taking place before the audience. By doing this the chorus would create a deeper and more meaningful connection between the characters and the audience.

What is the main theme of the chorus?

The music of the chorus comes largely from the instruments, but the lyrics almost always compose the melody, or the main musical theme of a song. So, while the chords in the background, or the harmony, tend to resolve during the chorus, the melody reinforces them.