Medea Chorus Role
The Role of the Chorus in Medea An important element in ancient Greek tragedies is the chorus, a near constant presence that typically played little to no role in the events that take place in the plays. In Medea, this idea stands true. The Chorus in Medea consists of Corinthian women, who mostly just lament the horrific things that are happening throughout the play. Euripides, the creator of the tragedy, seems to use the Chorus as an outside perspective, using them to illustrate his themes.
The Chorus seems very similar to an audience at home watching a television show, vocally expressing their ideas and discontent with the events unfolding, even though their cries have no effect on the story. Like an old woman watching a soap opera, the Chorus outspokenly voices their opinion, as well as expressing curiosity in how the story will unfold. “Oh god! This is horrible, unhappy woman, the grief that you suffer. Where will you turn? Where will you find shelter? What country, what home will save you from sorrow?” (366-369).
Eventually, the Chorus ends up taking Medea’s side in various things. “You’re justified, Medea, in paying your husband back. I’m not surprised you grieve at your misfortunes.” (272-274). In their discontent with Jason, the Chorus chides “You’ve composed a lovely speech. But I must say, though you may disagree: you have betrayed your wife. You’ve been unjust” (596-599). The Chorus is perhaps siding with the murderous Medea as they may relate to Medea’s struggles as a woman in the Greek period. Being described as Corinthian women themselves, the Chorus are implied to endure the struggles of everyday women in that era. While the Chorus agrees with Medea on many things, they certainly disagree with her infanticide. Despite their pleas, Medea continues with the murder of her children and the Chorus ends up finishing the play by basically saying the gods work in mysterious ways, concluding the story with a nonchalant attitude that a typical spectator
The Chorus seems very similar to an audience at home watching a television show, vocally expressing their ideas and discontent with the events unfolding, even though their cries have no effect on the story. Like an old woman watching a soap opera, the Chorus outspokenly voices their opinion, as well as expressing curiosity in how the story will unfold. “Oh god! This is horrible, unhappy woman, the grief that you suffer. Where will you turn? Where will you find shelter? What country, what home will save you from sorrow?” (366-369).
Eventually, the Chorus ends up taking Medea’s side in various things. “You’re justified, Medea, in paying your husband back. I’m not surprised you grieve at your misfortunes.” (272-274). In their discontent with Jason, the Chorus chides “You’ve composed a lovely speech. But I must say, though you may disagree: you have betrayed your wife. You’ve been unjust” (596-599). The Chorus is perhaps siding with the murderous Medea as they may relate to Medea’s struggles as a woman in the Greek period. Being described as Corinthian women themselves, the Chorus are implied to endure the struggles of everyday women in that era. While the Chorus agrees with Medea on many things, they certainly disagree with her infanticide. Despite their pleas, Medea continues with the murder of her children and the Chorus ends up finishing the play by basically saying the gods work in mysterious ways, concluding the story with a nonchalant attitude that a typical spectator