The Importance of the Role That the Chorus Plays in...

The Importance of the Role That the Chorus Plays in Euripedes’ Medea The Chorus is very much an important part of Euripedes’ Medea, and indeed many other works written in the ancient Greek style. In this play, it follows the journey Medea makes, and not only narrates, but commentates on what is happening. Euripedes uses the Chorus as a literary device to raise certain issues, and to influence where the sympathies of the audience lie. In the list of characters at the beginning of the play, the Chorus is stated to be a chorus of Corinthian Women. This draws the first link between them and Medea. The Chorus follows Medea on her journey through this play. They act as narrators on important occurrences in the play; however, they also act†¦show more content†¦Obviously one can’t know this for sure, but one can deduce it from what we know of that era. Although some wouldn’t have condoned Jason’s actions, many would have seen it as normal because it would have been a much more common occurrence then than today. Nonetheless, in presenting these sort of issues in a moralistic play to the audience of the day was a brave and controversial thing to do. Obviously, the views on the these issues have come along way since the time when this play was written, so today’s audience adapts the messages in this play to their own morality. The treatment of women, and of Medea, and the circumstances t hat Medea is faced with, help the audience to, not condone, but understand the reasons for Medea’s actions at the end of the play. The opinion of the audience on characters other than Medea is also influenced by the Chorus. After the audience hears what Jason has done to Medea in the way of marrying another woman, the Chorus says: ‘To punish Jason would be just.’ If this is not already the audience’s opinion, then Euripedes enforces it so that it is. Apart from narrating, and commentating, the Chorus also takes on the role of advising Medea. Throughout the play they are on the side of Medea, but even they do not agree with the course of action that Medea wishes to take. Where their sympathies lie has changed, and this is indicative of theShow MoreRelatedMedea: Discuss the Role of the Chorus Essay1210 Words   |  5 PagesDiscuss the importance of the role that the Chorus plays in Euripedes Medea. br brThe Chorus is very much an important part of Euripedes Medea, and indeed many other works written in the ancient Greek style. In this play, it follows the journey Medea makes, and not only narrates, but commentates on what is happening. Euripedes uses the Chorus as a literary device to raise certain issues, and to influence where the sympathies of the audience lie. br brIn the list of characters at theRead More Medea, by Euripides - Constructing Medea’s Compelling Persona1194 Words   |  5 PagesMedea, by Euripides - Cons tructing Medea’s Compelling Persona In the play Medea, by Euripides, many techniques are incorporated to augment the compelling persona of the protagonist, Medea. She has an overpowering presence, which is fashioned through the use of imagery, offstage action and language. Dramatic suspense, employment of the chorus and Deus Ex Machina also serve to enhance the intense persona assumed by Medea. Medea is frequently associated with images of violence and rage. â€Å"She’sRead MoreAncient Greek Theatre and Drama1648 Words   |  7 PagesAncient Greece, the birthplace of theatre, continues to greatly influence theatre today. Drama is a form of poetry, because dialogue was spoken or sung in verses. Many Greek plays are still relevant today. Some plays survived on their merits, while others were preserved from academic interest or by accident (Peter Arnott). The Great Dionysia was an important yearly religious celebration and festival, honoring Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility. The Great Dionysia is where theatre firstRead MoreGreek vs. Roman Theatre Essay3174 Words   |  13 PagesNevertheless, as with a majority of playwrights throughout history, most fodder for their plays have been adaptations of previous plays written by their predecessors or based off mythological events. Unfortunately, this had lead to many speculative accusations and criticisms, as is the case with Senecan tragedies versus their Greek counterparts. Senecan and Greek interpretations of the plays Oedipus, Agamemnon, and Medea bear similar themes, being the inescapability of fate and dikà ª, and the lack of clarityRead MoreHumanities Test4641 Words   |  19 Pagesessay on comedy pg 236 12.   ( T or F ) Satire is always serious. It criticizes ideas and behaviors that are dangerous to society. False 13.   Shakespeares five great tragedies include: Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and: Romeo and Juliet. 14.   The plays of Chekhov feature: Naturalism pg 247-249 15.   Which of the following conventions is seldom found in Elizabethan theaters: Soliloquy or Elizabeth’s Sonnet 16. Know the plot summary of Oedipus Rex. Antigone: Creon condemns both Antigone and Ismene