1. Structure of
Greek Tragedy
and the Role of
the Chorus
What you need to know
when reading Oedipus Rex

2. The awesome amphitheater
 Plays were performed in HUGE outdoor
amphitheatres that could seat 40,000
people (Yankee Stadium seats 52, 325)
 No microphones! But you can hear a penny
drop from all the way at the top!

3. Cast And action
 All actors were men. They wore masks to
depict which characters they were.
 There were no scene changes (no
backstage!)
 The audience knew the story ahead of time.
The emotion of the characters was what
they came to see.
 Violent action took place offstage (I.e.
audience had to imagine it). Messengers
then told the audience what happened.

4. Unity of Time, Place, and
Action
 Greek plays were much different
from the films we are used to:
 The unity of action: Play follows one
main storyline with no or few subplots.
 The unity of place: play occurs in a
single place and does not change
setting (the stage represents one place)
 The unity of time: the action in a play
should take place over no more than 24
hours.

5. So what is the chorus?
 The chorus was a group of 12-15 men who
sang and danced during the plays.
 They often represent the community’s
thoughts but not necessarily the poet’s
thoughts.
 In Oedipus Rex, the chorus is made of
senators – wise old guys!

6. The Role of the Chorus
 To set the mood of the play and tell us the themes
 To interpret the action in relation to the law of the
state and the law of the Olympian gods
 To divide the action and offer reflection on events
 To give background information
 (Think of it like you have all your grandparents,
aunts, and uncles sitting around commenting on
your life)

7. Structure of Tragedy
 A Greek Tragedy alternates between
odes and episodes
 Odes are songs sung by the chorus
to comment on the action
 Episodes are when characters talk
together (Dialogue)

8. In more detail…
 Prologue: The first part of the play that give
background information.
 Parodos: The first song the chorus sings.
 Choral Ode: At the end of each episode, the
other characters leave the stage and the chorus
sings!

9. The End
 Exodos: At the end of play, the chorus exits
singing a processional song which usually
offers words of wisdom related to the actions
and outcome of the play.
 This is the “moral” of the story where the chorus
tells us what we were have supposed to learn
from the characters

10. Exit Slip
 What is an ode? What is an
episode? How do they work in a
Greek Tragedy?
 What does unity of time and
place mean in Greek tragedy?
 Name 2 purposes of the chorus
in a Greek tragedy.
 What would be the benefit of
being in a chorus?