1. The function of the chorus is they act as observers and somewhat narrators of the story.
The chorus often doesn’t take part in the story, just portrays a view that breaks the wall
with the audience, saying what they must be thinking. They comment on reactions to
what has happened in between and during certain conversations, also calling on the
gods, especially at the beginning in Medea where they call on Zeus for what has
happened of Medea (line 150, pg. 143). What triggers Oedipus’ recognition of the
Chorus is that he is finally able to face and recognize them when he is at his most
vulnerable, his lowest place of power. Oedipus is finally looking at someone else, which
is ironic because he is blind, and looking for companionship as he is in “agony” (line
1445, pg. 129). This moment serves the play’s structure and themes because it
represents the moment of realization that must happen in a tragedy according Aristotle
and it reverts back to the theme of sight and blindness. Oedipus must face pain and
blindness in order to reach the truth and knowledge that he so deeply desire.
2. It is unclear to me in Medea what role the Nurse plays in the show. I could not tell if she
was a character more like the tutor or one that is a narrator, especially the beginning of
the play when she explains what is going on and how it affected Medea. Additionally, in
lines 1225 to 1244 where the death of Creon is explained, Creon says “Let me die with
you child” before he dies because part of the robes has attached itself to him. Did Creon
succumb to death because this is how he actually wanted it to end, with them together?
Would he may have committed suicide if the robe hadn’t attached itself to him?
3. Responding to Lucia Abela:
I agree that the chorus helped the audience understand what Medea was feeling. I think
to add onto that point, they also kind of pushed into Medea’s thoughts, what she was
thinking in her head in certain conversations. For example, when Jason and Medea have
their first conversation in the play, Medea calls Jason out on his actions and Jason tries
to defend his actions by saying he married another women so they would “not be poor”
(pg. 153, line 576). The chorus is there during the conversation and defends Medea by
saying, “Jason, you’ve composed a lovely speech. But…you have betrayed your wife.
You’ve been unjust.” (pg. 153, lines 596-598). This point of view defends Medea and
points out the main ideas that Medea herself focuses on in this conversation with Jason
that what he did was unfair to Medea.