Question

What role does the chorus play in the first half of Antigone?

OA. It ties up all the loose ends in the play.
OB. It comments on the action and provides background information.
OC. It offers insights into the characters' motivations.
OD. It explains the play's events to the audience in simple language.

Answer 1

In Sophocles' Antigone, the chorus comments on the action and provides background information to the audience, reflecting the social perspective and helping to understand ethical dilemmas in the play.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the first half of Antigone, the chorus plays a crucial role according to the classical structure of Greek tragedy as formalized by Sophocles. The correct answer to the student’s question is option B: The chorus comments on the action and provides background information. Sophocles’ innovative use of the chorus moved beyond simply narrating or filling in time between scenes and involved the chorus actively in the thematic development of the play. The chorus can offer a broader social perspective, react to the events of the play, represent a somewhat collective voice of the citizenry or elders, and help the audience understand the various conflicts and ethical dilemmas raised within the story of Antigone.