Chorus In Antigone

“The chorus plays a massive role in the overall development in all Greek tragedies, without them it would be much more difficult to understand.” (UK Essays arch 23, 2015). From this quote, we can see that the Chorus does play a huge role in the creation of background knowledge and introduction to the many new scenes. In Antigone by Sophocles, the audience can see this idea put to use. The main roles of the Chorus in personal opinion is the settlement of confusion, laying out of scenes, and the representation of the people of Thebes. The first topic to touch on, is the laying out of scenes. The Chorus allows us to create a mental picture of the atmosphere in each individual scene. They also give us past knowledge that preceded the beginning of Antigone, which helps us understand why things are such. A great example of this is when they say, “I see them, the two girls - here they come with our armed men surrounding them as they enter the palace which is looking elegant.”(228). Not only does this quote explain who is coming into view but they also describe the place in which they are entering. Readers need to paint a mental picture to help us see what is taking place. Without this many of us might struggle to comprehend passages. Readers also get lost and often end up rereading

They explain things that not only help the readers understand but in many instances the help the characters understand. “All of Danae’s beauty was locked away in a brazen cell where the sun doesn’t shine.”(142). In this quote, the Chorus tells Creon that Antigone has been locked away. This a magnificent example of settling confusion. It is due to the fact that the audience might be beginning to think what is to come of her. They go on to explain that she has been given some rations, but will eventually pass. This goes well with the idea that they settle confusion just like they do throughout the