.....
There is always a Chorus in
Greek tragedy; in fact, tragedy
began with choral songs
to which actors were added.
Almost always present, the
Chorus fulfills a number of
functions. The splendid poetry
of many of the odes or songs
contribute to the spectacle of
performance, the continuity
of theme and the emotional
effects of the play. It is like
another actor, showing us the
communal
background of the action.
Greek tragedy assumed that
no life is entirely private and
that the community's fortunes
are linked with the individual
and vice versa. Because Greek
tragedy is a public art form,
the chorus reflects on such issues
as the nature of authority,
justice, the worship of the gods
and the pull between civic responsibility
and individual desires.
.....
Although the major divisions
of the plays are not indicated
in most English translations,
the choral odes are set apart.
The Chorus was usually divided
into two groups, giving
a balanced visual effect on
stage. The first lyric they sing
is called the "strophe" (movement)
and the second the "antistrophe"
countermovement).
The afterpiece is called the
"epode" and an exchange or
lamentation between the chorus
and an actor is called a
"kommos".
.....
In Oedipus Rex the chorus
assumes the role of wealthy,
prominent men of Thebes.
They have been living there
since Laius' day, so they know
the past, but are not necessarily
old. Their first impression
is one of uncertainty and a desire
for truth about the plague
that is wasting them. The sufferings
they face are not just
personal, but affect the whole
city. Thus, they are portrayed
as responsible leaders and
representatives of the citizens
of Thebes and their songs
use military metaphors. The
exchanges with Oedipus are
like a consultation between a
concerned ruler and his counselors,
a cooperative effort in
a search for answers. Following
the confrontation between
Creon and Oedipus, the chorus
continues to
express their concern for the
city and display their reliance
on reason, evidence and common
sense.
.....
As advisor to the king, the
chorus assists in the progression
of the drama, but Sophocles
also uses it to establish
a contrast with the king. He
seems to compare the chorus'
plodding common sense with
Oedipus' brilliant intuition, its
caution with the king's bold
passion. Members of the chorus
are loyal to the king, but
when Oedipus begins to veer
from his civic responsibility
to his personal fate, it is their
duty to remind him - and the
audience - of the consequences.
As representatives of the
body politic, they say at the
end of their final ode, "from
you I drew breath [of life] and
through you I have closed my
eyes [in death]".
OEDIPUS REX by Sophocles
April 1-10, 2005
Special lecture
"Open house" lecture about Sophocles, Oedipus, Greek mythology and more.
Featuring the Stage Director of Oedipus Rex Anatoly Anohin, Set Designer Timaree McCormick, Lillian Corti "Blindness, Sight, and Psycoanalysis in Oedipus" of the UAF English Department and Dr.
Joseph Thompson "Oedipus Rex and the Oracle at Delphi" of the UAF Philosophy & Humanities
Department. Monday, March 28, 5:30pm in the Lee H. Salisbury Theatre Free Admission & will be available on-line via streaming audio and video! Check back here for details.OEDIPUS REX in the Lee H. Salsibury Theatre
Friday, April 1 @ 8:15pm
Saturday, April 2 @ 8:15pm
Sunday, April 3 @ 2:00pm followed by a Q&A with the director and cast!