Overview
This lecture explores the central role of the chorus in ancient Greek tragedy, its historical development, dramatic function, and relevance for modern audiences.
The Role and History of the Greek Chorus
- The chorus is a group of 12–15 performers present in every ancient Greek drama, originally always played by men.
- Greek drama likely grew from a performance style called dithyramb, where a chorus narrated myth through song and dance.
- Tragedy developed when an individual separated from the chorus, creating dialogue; Thespis is credited as the first actor.
- Aeschylus increased spoken parts, but choral elements remained dominant for much of Greek tragedy’s history.
- Despite claims of decline, evidence shows the chorus was important and innovative into the 4th century BCE.
- The chorus was costly to stage, requiring large groups, costumes, rehearsal time, and specialized trainers.
Functions of the Chorus in Greek Tragedy
- The chorus does more than comment; it often acts as a key character, influencing plot and outcomes.
- In Aeschylus’ Eumenides, the chorus of Furies pursues Orestes and drives the play’s action.
- In Oedipus at Colonus, the chorus intervenes physically to protect characters.
- In Euripides’ Ion, the chorus’s disclosures set off pivotal events.
- The chorus may withhold intervention, as in Medea, affecting the plot’s tragic outcome.
- Each chorus has its own motivation, development, and impact within the drama.
Choral Performance and Audience Connection
- Choruses perform odes (stasima), using familiar imagery, music, and ritual that connect with the audience’s real-life experiences.
- Life events in Greece such as birth, marriage, and funerals involved communal singing and dancing similar to choral odes.
- Tragedians used traditional forms and genres (e.g., wedding songs, paeans) for irony or emotional impact.
- The chorus provided spectacle, music, and a connection both to the plot and the audience’s world.
Modern Interpretations and Relevance
- Modern adaptations, like Kae Tempest’s rewriting of Philoctetes, reimagine the chorus to connect with contemporary themes and audiences.
- The chorus continues to offer a way to reflect collective experiences and deepen dramatic meaning today.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Chorus — a group of performers who sing, dance, and act in unison in Greek drama.
- Dithyramb — an ancient Greek hymn sung and danced by a chorus, precursor to tragedy.
- Stasimon/Stasima — choral odes performed in Greek tragedies.
- Paean — a hymn of praise or healing, often addressed to Apollo.
- Thespis — the legendary first actor who separated from the chorus.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of choral roles in Greek tragedies (e.g., Eumenides, Oedipus at Colonus, Medea, Ion).
- Consider how choral performance connects theatrical tradition and social context.
- Explore modern adaptations of Greek choruses for further understanding.