The Chorus, a Dynamic Role Antigone by Sophocles, translated by E. F. Watling is an ancient Greek drama set in the city state of Thebes. It is the third installment of the Theban Plays trilogy. In this play, Antigone, the protagonist, has gone against her uncle, the king’s, orders and has buried the body of her brother who attacked his home city. During the play, Creon, the king of Thebes, has to make the decision of what to do with Antigone. To do this he seeks the help of the Chorus. A group of elders in Thebes to whom past Kings have sought advice. Creon, however, chooses to ignore their advice. The Chorus’ advice is rarely heeded in Antigone, because they are afraid to stand up to Creon. In Antigone, the Chorus seems to predict the future …show more content…
An instance this occurred was when the Chorus questions Creon’s brash words that seem to condemn the guilty Antigone to death as well as her innocent sister Ismene, they ask, “You mean, then, sire, to put them both to death?” (Page 525, line 564). They fear for and respect the sisters and are relieved when Creon only orders Antigone’s death. They do not openly confront Creon but in an open plea to the gods they ask, “Where is the equal of love? Where is the battle he cannot win, the power he cannot outmatch?” (Page 526, line 675). They would never question his judgement for fear of what might become of them, but the Chorus does fear that Creon is putting his judgement aboves the gods wishes. They think, therefore, by punishing the burial of a man, he is confronting the gods and will be punished for it. The Chorus questions Creon’s judgement, but not to his face because they fear …show more content…
One instance of this is when Creon asks the Chorus for advice on what to do after Teiresias prophesied that Creon’s son will die, he asks “What must I do? Tell me, and I will do it.” To this the Chorus replies, “Release the woman from her rocky prison. Set up a tomb for him that lies unburied.” (Page 534, line 924). This quote means that Creon should release Antigone from the sealed cavern in which they left her to die and to bury Polynices. Creon finally listens, but when he does, it is, consequently, far too late. Antigone had already hanged herself and Haemon, her future husband and son of Creon had fallen on his sword in mourning. When the Chorus’ wise advice is finally listened to, the worst has already