The Chorus is a collective voice of the citizens of Thebes experiencing great terror and despair. The Chorus provides insights about who should guide the city to salvation as it believes leadership should come from the gods. In lines 300 to 302, the speaker addresses their liege, or ruler, and tells him that the prophet, Teiresias, is the best person to consult on a matter they are investigating. “Teiresias; he of all men best might guide A searcher of this matter to the light,” the Chorus states (Sophocles 2). The orator is saying that Teiresias has the ability to see things clearly and guide Thebes to the truth. In this passage, the language is enhanced by the use of poetic devices according to Aristotle’s great tragic theatre. The author employs language that is both clear and expressive. The message is easy to understand and expressive. It conveys the emotions of the characters who only want the best for Thebes.
Work Cited
Sophocles, E. A. Oedipus the king. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1972.
3 thoughts on “Esther Ebigwei Discussion 2”
Hey Esther ,
Thanks for sharing this with us. I like that bit too. Its interesting your take on how the light may be parallelism with truth and a clear view-
I could add that I think when the author talks about light, it also could be interpreted as something ”good”
francisco
Esther, your understanding of the Chorus is very good. However, the prompt asks for a discussion of the “enchanced language of varying beauties.” You have give only one line, which describes Teiresias. Is this line the best example of poetic language sung by the Chorus?
The Chorus is a collective voice of the citizens of Thebes experiencing great terror and despair. It provided insights about who should guide the city to salvation as it believed leadership should come from the gods. In lines 480-489, when speaking to Oedipus about some of the prophecies, the Chorus states, “All wise are Zeus and Apollo; nothing is hid from their ken; They are gods; but in wits a man may surpass his fellow men; But that a mortal seer knows more than I know. Where Has this been proven? Or how without sign assured, can I blame Him who saved our State when the winged singer came” (Sophocles 1). The excerpt exemplifies Aristotle’s criteria for great tragic theatre in several ways. First, the language is elevated and poetic, befitting a chorus of wise elders to enhance the scene’s emotional impact. Secondly, the Chorus talks about how wisdom comes from the gods and how mortal men can surpass the gods in their intelligence. The statement creates a sense of conflict and tension essential to great tragedy. The Chorus’s language underscores the tragedy in the Oedipus’s story and the power of fate in the lives of men. It also provokes interest and suspense in the audience.
Work Cited
Sophocles, E. A. Oedipus the king. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1972.