Antigone Group

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gmgdiva2007
gmgdiva2007

What is the function of the Chorus in Anouilh's play? How, for example, does it relate to the players?

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Posted by gmgdiva2007 on Sunday January 25, 2009 at 2:35 PM and tagged with antigone.

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  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    In Anouilh's version of "Antigone" the chorus is there to represent the views of the playwright and to remind the audience that it is watching a theatrical play, not a realist portrayal so we focus more on the message and theme rather that the action of the players. The chorus comes out at the beginning of the play and tells us the entire story. He implies that Antigone must play her part "until the end". This implies that each character cannot escape his or her destiny. The chorus then returns in the middle of the play, just to remind the audience that this is a play and not reality. Then the chorus presents a "digression on tragedy". At the end of the play, the chorus acts like a traditional Greek chorus when he reminds Creon that Antigone is still a child. This moralizing was a tradition among Greek choruses during Sophocles' time. And, once again, the chorus helps remind the audience of the message of the play.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/antigone

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    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Sunday January 25, 2009 at 5:21 PM