The Chorus, as it was said, represents the collective voice of citizens. Their feelings: worries, fears and suffering, and through the chorus we can see the “mood flow” of this tragedy. Firstly the chorus is furious in search of the culprit of all their troubles. It is realised through the examples of “language enhanced by varying beauties”.
“as the bloody handed murderer,
The doer of deeds that none dare name?
Now is the time for him to run with a stronger foot than Pegasus for the child of Zeus leaps in arms upon him
with fire and the lightning bolt”(544-550). Words about Pegasus and Zeus mean that the murderer can not escape retribution, as Pegasus is bringing lightning bolts for Zeus to cut him him off. The next line also supports their belief that retribution will overtake the villain. “are the Fates that never miss” (552). The fate destined by the Gods and Oedipus is “a lightning bolt” which does justice.
However, after the conversation between the prophet and Oedipus, citizens are seized with fear and uncertainty. It is depicted by another example of enhanced language. “I am in a flutter of foreboding” (569). They feel that something is going to happen. They start to doubt in Oedipus, they can not choose whom to believe, but they remember that Oedipus is a savior of the city. “saw his wisdom and in that test he saved the city. So he will not be condemned by my mind.” (590-592). So in this passage transition to anxiety and foreshadowing of something terrible is implied.
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4 thoughts on “Amalia Tabet Discussion 6”
Amalia, I’m always struck by this passage too because in its expressive language, it expresses the terror of the citizens as they think of the fate of the murderer. As you note, they do believe that retribution is inevitable and that no one can escape the judgment of the gods. The second section also reflects fear and the permeating sense of foreboding.
Amalia, I agree that the chorus did an excellent job of describing the emotions of the moment. I was able to grasp a better understanding from your description of the passage that it was supposed to foreshadow/represent a tragic situation that was happening or was about to happen. I feel as though you done an excellent job describing what the passage implies.
I agree with you that the Chorus represents the collective voice of the people. He is present to tell the facts and give an overview and express the feelings then present in the story. I find your analysis very interesting.
Hi Amalia, I agree with you that the chorus represents the citizens’ voice, even thou there’s fear and worries about the tragedy and what is to come to find the culprit of the killer. Your description gave me a better understanding of the story.