The Chorus in "Oedipus Rex"

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at the Chorus in Sophocles' "King Oedipus", which is a timeless force that serves many fundamental dramatic purposes in the tragedy. It explores how their interjections into the dialogue are directed at clarifying the significance of events and affirming the outlook of a conventional society, to which an audience can relate. It also examines how they effectively separate the different episodes in the theatrical sequence, imitating the overriding public mood in their verse and how most importantly, is the Chorus? contribution to the dramatic irony of the play through their boundless praise of the King, who causes his Kingdom's affliction.

From the Paper:

"Aristotle maintained that the Chorus should be handled "as one of the actors" and "contribute to the performance". The Chorus of "Theban elders" in Oedipus Rex are functional because they point out the significance of the dramatic events as they occur, and Aristotle asserts that "tragedy is an imitation of an action" which takes priority over character. The Chorus are the nucleus from which the tragedy evolves, heightening the dramatic irony of Oedipus' hamartia. The first section of the play ends with the unassuming Oedipus' resolution to expose and punish the polluter of Thebes, presenting the appropriate motivation for the first appearance of the Chorus."

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