Among the ancient Greeks, the chorus was a group of people who wore masks and sang during the time of the festivals. Chorus has a significant role in a classical tragedy. The ancient view of chorus can be seen in Latin poet, Horace’s work Ars of Poetry. According to Horace, the basic function of a chorus is to become an objective viewer of the events that unfold before their eyes. Chorus is always an upholder of virtue, morality, and wisdom. Usually, the chorus arrives early in the play and remains till the end of the play. Chorus speaks the voice of the audience and expresses their fears and anxieties. On some occasions chorus has the power to predict the future and what is going to happen soon.
The role of the chorus in Oedipus Rex.
Chorus has a significant role in Oedipus Rex. Chorus makes its first entry in section 1 with a special prayer to God. Thebes are the victims of the plague. Chorus prayed to God to escape Thebes from the rage of plague. Oedipus enters the stage and announces that he will answer the prayer. But the chorus was reluctant to give responsibility to Oedipus and they inform the audience that the God of the sun, Phoebus Apollo will give the answer.
Like any other Greek drama, the basic role of the chorus in Oedipus Rex is to sing and comments about the ongoing situations in the drama. Here, in the play chorus comprises a group of mature citizens of the country, who are highly reliable as commentators. The presence of the chorus in the play can be seen from the beginning to the end of the play. In the play, the chorus appeared five times
Another important role of the chorus was to evaluate the incidents and developments, characters, and themes of the drama. There are various actions that cannot be expressed on the stage in front of the audience. This is the role of a chorus to inform the audience about what happened in the mind of characters and actions that are not happening on the stage. In Oedipus Rex, the chorus made several statements regarding the fall of Oedipus, his greatness, his weakness, and his destiny and frailty of man. Without their comments, the audience does not get any idea about many things that happened in the drama and the drama would have lost much of the meaning and perspective that Sophocles wanted to convey to his audience. Moreover, the commentary creates the appropriate mood and atmosphere for the play. Apart from that, it also helps to grab the attention of the audience as well.