The Messenger and The Chorus Flashcards
How is Jocasta described?
“fr…
“frantic, whipped to fury” Allows the audience to understand her extreme emotion in the situation.
How does Jocasta kill herself? Why is this significant?
“we saw the woman…”
Jocasta hangs herself, …hanging by the neck”, hangings were generally supposed to be a virginal manner to kill oneself, it is significant because it shows her deep regret and want to return to a time before Laius and Oedipus. Evokes pity within a modern audience especially.
Why does Sophocles have the audience only hear of the death/blinding?
It almost makes the scene more vivid if the audience is allowed to instead visualise what happened, it also increases emotional effect as it becomes personal to the viewer. It also was not common practice to show extreme blood + violence on the Athenian stage, and the effects were not generally up to scratch.
How is Oedipus described?
“like a…
“low…
“like a maddened beast”, the animalistic manner of this simile evokes fear within the audience, already aware of what his anger will walk into. “low, wrenching sob”, the adjective ‘wrenching’ increases pity in the audience, the loss of a mother and a wife.
How does the ending fit in with Aristotle’s view on tragedy?
“So miserable - …
After his anagnorisis, Oedipus’ blinding serves as a cathartic release. He can arguably seen to be reformed, learning from his hamartia and now appreciating fate and his lower position than the gods, “So miserable - you would consult the god about a man like me?”
What does the Chorus do in the narrative?
They are the elders of Thebes, they interact with the main characters, provide commentary, perhaps react to the narrative as the audience would, and provide moral messaging.
“You are my great example,…
“mighty king…
you, your life, your destiny, Oedipus, man of misery - I count no man blest.” repetition of ‘you’ reflects Sophocles as a didalaskos (teacher), he expresses here that the play as a whole is one of moral messaging, that the world of man is cruel, must bend to the will of the gods.
of the seven gates of Thebes.” still continue to honour Oedipus.
How does the Chorus amplify Oedipus’ hubris?
“Apollo…
…I beg you”
“I cry to you… Dionysus”
The Chorus supplicate to the gods, Oedipus’ response “Let me grant your prayers” serves to amplify how he is no better than the common man if he cannot submit to divine rule.
How does the Chorus show the morality of the play?
“Never will I…
“Zeus and…
convict my King, never in my heart.”
Apollo, they know, the great masters of all the dark and depth of human life.”
Their confliction between love of their King and love of their Gods.
