What Did the Chorus Do in Greek Theatre Antigone?

Greek Theatre|Theater

The chorus was a major part of Greek theatre, and the tragedy Antigone is no exception. The chorus in Antigone was made up of 15 Theban elders, who represented the collective voice of the people.

The role of the chorus in Antigone was to comment on and provide insight into the action unfolding on stage. Through their song and dance, they expressed their feelings about what was taking place and shared their wisdom with the audience. Through their words, they offered moral judgments on the characters’ choices.

The chorus also served as a warning to characters in the play when they made bad decisions. For example, when Antigone decided to disobey King Creon’s orders and bury her brother Polynices, despite knowing it would mean certain death for her, the chorus sang a song that warned her not to go against Creon’s orders. They urged her to think carefully before making such a rash decision and not be swayed by emotion.

The chorus also provided comic relief throughout the play by interjecting lighthearted comments between scenes of intense drama. This helped break up some of the more intense moments and gave audiences a chance to relax before being thrust back into the action.

In conclusion, it can be seen that the role of the chorus in Greek theatre was very important, especially in Antigone where it commented on events taking place in an insightful manner, warned characters about potential consequences for their actions, and provided comic relief for audiences.