Celine Ghany Discussion 6

Lines 471-475 shows a slight importance and role that the chorus plays in this reading. The build up towards this scene is a plague has struck and the citizens are dying. Oedipus learns that this has happened because the death of a former king Laius needs to be avenged. The killer must be found and banished or executed. Teiresias is a prophet. He and Oedipus begin a conversation that turns into conflict and an exchange of words that increases the anger of Oedipus and Teiresias. He learns of the truth, though he is hesitant and unwilling to tell Oedipus. The chorus then intervenes and states,

“We look at this man’s words and yours, my
king, and we find both have spoken them in anger.
We need no angry words but only thought
how we may best hit the God’s meaning for us.”

The chorus’ opinion takes into effect. They remind us readers and the king at the same time that even they know this argument and new found conflict is worthless and unnecessary, to focus on what his means for the people and to not speak words of anger but of understanding and solution.

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