Notes on the division of the
chorus
12 AP
Strophe…
• The strophe -- meaning "turn" -- is the first stanza
of an ode and is essentially the first half of a
debate or argument presented by the chorus.
• In reciting the strophe, the chorus moves from
the right of the stage to the left.
• Because the size of the chorus during ancient
performances would vary greatly, sometimes the
entire chorus would perform both the strophe
and the antistrophe, and sometimes the chorus
would be split down the middle, with only one
half reciting the strophe.
http://classroom.synonym.com/strophe-antistrophe-literature-2350.html
…and Antistrophe
• The antistrophe is the other half of the debate or
further exploration of the argument initially presented
in the strophe.
• The word itself means "to turn back," which makes
sense given that the chorus moves in the opposite
direction of the strophe; for the antistrophe, the
movement is left to right.
• The antistrophe serves as a response to the strophe,
but it does not get the last word.
• The antistrophe only complicates the issue and makes
it difficult to see the correct answer or path for
characters to take.
http://classroom.synonym.com/strophe-antistrophe-literature-2350.html
Epode
• The epode, or "after song," is the third and final
section of the ode.
• In the epode, the chorus comes together in the
center of the stage and delivers a final stanza.
• While the strophe and antistrophe are delivered
in the same meter as one another, the epode is
often slightly different.
• In many odes, the epode is omitted, so the
strophe and antistrophe comprise the entire
choral interlude.
http://classroom.synonym.com/strophe-antistrophe-literature-2350.html