Oedipus the King

p Oedipus the King Oedipus the King One of the most important literary devices used by Sophocles in his play Oedipus the King is what is known to modern critics as the "Greek Chorus " The chorus was an important part of Greek tragedy , not only in the plays of Sophocles , but in the work of many other playwrights as well . Sophocles , in addition to incorporating well-known myths and historical motifs into his play , used the chorus as an additional method by which to ensure the audience 's understanding of the action on the

br stage . He also used the chorus to help the audience to feel a sense of a participation in the action of the play and to direct their sense of the plot and to focus the audience 's sympathy on appropriate characters The use of the chorus in Greek tragedy was , as mentioned , a common literary device , but Sophocles is well known for being a creative adapter of conventions and in his hands , the chorus functions in myriad capacities , some obvious and some subtle

In to appreciate the importance of the chorus in a play like Oedipus the King , it is crucial to first have an understanding of how the chorus traditionally functioned in Greek tragedy . Physically , the chorus was made up of "an anonymous group of fifteen (Taplin 12 ) who in addition to functioning as characters within the play , proper , also participated in the orchestra , providing "musical accompaniment [ .] on the aulos , a double pipe...