Greek Chorus in History - 2120 Words

THE GREEK CHORUS SMALL PLACE IN HISTORY The history of the Greek Chorus can be traced back to a relatively small time period; from the original Dithyrambs, to Thespis small, but revolutionizing changes to the system, to Aeschylus triple entente of tragedies The Oresteia, which included the infamous Agamemnon. To truly understand the Greek Chorus, and what role it was meant to play when it was created and thereafter altered, one has to go back to the beginning of timeÂ…which in this case happens to be somewhere around the seventh century, B.C. During this time, the festival of Dionysus was held annually in Athens to celebrate and honor the god for which it was named. Dionysus, being the Greek (and Roman) god of wine and of an†¦show more content†¦When Clytemnestra speaks to the chorus that the Achaeans had taken Troy that very night, they are skeptical and poke fun at her in their disbelief. Yet how can I be certain? Is there some evidence?... Is it dream visions, easy to believe, you credit?... The cha rm, then, of some rumor, that made rich your hope? (Grene and Lattimore 13) To be fair, Clytemnestras not the only one whos been unfaithful; Agamemnon came home with his new slave, Cassandra, who happens to be the sister of Paris and Hector. And while Agamemnon hasnt really been true to his wife, it really wasnt considered a bad thing for a man to have more than one partner in those timesÂ…if anything, it was applauded by all but the original partner(s) of the promiscuous man and some of the more snobbish common women. It was a bad thing for a woman to have more than one male partner, however, because women were allowed very little rights. But more to the topic, the chorus acquired some sympathy from the audience for, not only their King Agamemnon, but also to his new lady, Cassandra.Show MoreRelatedEssay on The Function of the Greek Chorus1002 Words   |  5 Pagesmilestones, and popular morality. 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