Blog Post #1: The Chorus

In Greek Drama, the chorus has a function equal to a character. In Oedipus The King, the Chorus’ role is to represent the Thebans as a whole. Their words embody the concerns, uncertainties and thoughts of all of the townspeople of Thebes. We can tell that the Chorus is characterized as townspeople through the context and phrasing of their words. They describe the misery the Thebans have been suffering through, begging the gods to “come down once more” because “we are all dying o my people” (189-193). The use of “we” (192) expresses that the Chorus is speaking from a community’s standpoint as one. The Chorus has a personality of loyalty. When they are told that Tiresias accused Oedipus, the Thebans great king who freed them from the Sphinx, of killing the former king, Laius, they are torn with conflicting thoughts. They are unsure of their feelings of Tiresias “I can’t accept him, can’t deny him, don’t know what to say” (551), even though Tiresias he is a great prophet it is impossible for them to believe that Oedipus would ever kill Laius. Prophets were highly praised in Greek Literature, Oedipus at first considered Tiresias as “the one shield, the one savior we can find” (346). This is why the Chorus is so conflicted, they don’t know who they should trust; their great king or their wise prophet. Ultimately, the Chorus loyalty to their king is shown when they decide “Never will I convict my king, never in my heart” (572).