Chorus |Define Chorus|Chorus Meaning |Chorus Definition |Chorus Literary Terms |Chorus in Literature

Chorus |Define Chorus|Chorus Meaning |Chorus Definition |Chorus Literary Terms |Chorus in Literature

Chorus is a group of performers who  
sing,dance and at times take part in the action of a play.According to Aristotle (Poetics,Chapter XII),it is one of the constituent elements of tragedy.The functions of chorus in classical tragedies are many.It-

a) determines the structure of a Greek tragedy;
b) creates background and sets tone and atmosphere;
c) comments on past and present events and hints at what is coming next;
d) sometimes takes part in action;

e)covers the time-gap between episodes;
f)affirms the wise views of the society;
g)give touches of religious solemnity and common humanity.

Chorus is an integral part of all classical tragedies. Sophocles has used heat in oedipus Rex,Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone. Modern writers have also used it. Marlowe has used it in Doctor Faustus.Milton has used it in Samson agonistes. Some modern dramatist replace the chorus by a character. For example, the fool in King Lear does what the chorus would have done. The number of persons in a chorus is sometimes reduced from a group to a single person.

Chiasmus