What is the role of the Greek chorus?

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 were the Greek chorus called and why?

A Greek chorus, or simply chorus (Greek: χορός, translit. chorós), in the context of ancient Greek tragedy, comedy, satyr plays, and modern works inspired by them, is a homogeneous, non-individualised group of performers, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action.

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 did Greek chorus wear?

Members of the chorus also wore masks, except all members wore the same mask because they were all representing one character. The masks were to ‘melt’ onto the actor’s face, allowing them to ‘vanish’ into the role they were to play.

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.

Why do 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.

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 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 chorus give example?

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 people trained to sing or speak something together simultaneously.

How does chorus effect work?

Chorus effects thicken your signal by copying it multiple times, coloring the copied signals, and playing them back slightly delayed. Chorus pedals accomplish this by splitting your signal into multiple “voices,” modulating their pitch and timbre, and delaying those voices slightly from the main signal.

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 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 are Greek theater masks called?

The two masks are associated with ancient greek drama with the smiling and frowning faces. They are the Comedy and Tragedy masks that were worn in ancient Greece during the golden age, around 500 – 300 BC, and are paired together to show the two extremes of the human psyche.

What is a Greek mask?

The Ancient Greek term for a mask is prosopon (lit., “face”), and was a significant element in the worship of Dionysus at Athens likely used in ceremonial rites and celebrations.

What do Greek masks represent?

Masks served several important purposes in Ancient Greek theater: their exaggerated expressions helped define the characters the actors were playing; they allowed actors to play more than one role (or gender); they helped audience members in the distant seats see and, by projecting sound somewhat like a small megaphone