ENGL 103W Lecture : Themes of the Oresteia
3 Oct 2011
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Document Summary
The chorus in greek tragedy has no defined role, role depends on the play. They make editorial comments and generalize the views athenians would have about certain subjects (s. a. peace, war, revenge, agamemnon): ex: perception on helen. Elopes with a man she hardly knows, leaves her family and her duties. What is not shown is the true character of. Themes: we can"t expect a leopard to change its spots. Can not force the lion to change its fierce nature. Helen is the lion cub in this case, but is not. Things are not what they seem to be. Trojan virus: sneaks in unexpectedly and brings destruction. It is not just left behind: the play starts with the beacon, which supposedly brings happiness. Agamemnon: back home, run his business, loving wife, slaves, booty. But the past is with him. (the chorus moves beautifully between past, present, and future).
