Greek chorus
Theatrical collective narrators
A Greek chorus is a group of performers in ancient Greek drama who commented on the action, expressed conventional moral attitudes, and provided background information.
By extension, any group that comments in unison on events: The pundits formed a Greek chorus of disapproval.
The term often implies predictable, unanimous reaction rather than individual insight.
Disastrous or sorrowful event
- SophoclesClassical Athenian playwright
- EuripidesGreek tragic dramatist
- AeschylusFather of tragedy
- amphitheaterOpen-air tiered venue
Dionysus · Athens · ritual · strophe · antistrophe · ode · exodus · skene
Verbal account delivery
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- interludePause between sections
- asideBrief theatrical digression
prologue · epilogue · dramatic irony · omniscience · observer · perspective · interpretation · contextualization
Simultaneous identical action
- synchronyTemporal coordination
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
- recitationOral delivery from memory
formation · procession · masked · robed · anonymous · ritualized · ceremonial · twelve
Study of right conduct
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
didactic · precepts · hubris · nemesis · fate · justice · righteousness · admonition
Expert commentary profession
- echo chamberSelf-reinforcing information environment
- groupthinkConformity-driven poor decisions
- yes-menAutomatic approval-givers
- sycophantsServile self-seeking flatterers
talking heads · collective voice · public opinion · social media · reaction · affirmation · amplification
tragedy
Disastrous or sorrowful event
amphitheater · Dionysus · Athens · ritual · strophe · antistrophe · ode · exodus · skene · theatron
narration
Verbal account delivery
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
- foreshadowingHinting at later events
- interludePause between sections
aside · prologue · epilogue · dramatic irony · omniscience · observer · perspective · interpretation · contextualization · annotation
unison
Simultaneous identical action
- synchronyTemporal coordination
- ensembleUnified group or outfit
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
recitation · formation · procession · masked · robed · anonymous · ritualized · ceremonial · twelve · fifteen
ethics
Study of right conduct
- virtueMoral goodness or merit
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
guidance · didactic · precepts · hubris · nemesis · fate · justice · righteousness · admonition · counsel
punditry
Expert commentary profession
- echo chamberSelf-reinforcing information environment
- groupthinkConformity-driven poor decisions
- yes-menAutomatic approval-givers
sycophants · talking heads · collective voice · public opinion · social media · reaction · affirmation · amplification
- Greek Theatertragedy, comedy, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes
- theater historyvaudeville, William Shakespeare, Drury Lane, Christopher Marlowe, Roman theater
- Greek dramacomedy, tragedy, Dionysus, tragic hero, Sophocles
- Greek tragedytragedy, Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides, Oedipus
- SophoclesAntigone, Oedipus Rex, Electra, Ajax, Oedipus
- world theatrekabuki, noh, Peking opera, bunraku, Chinese opera
Greek chorusprotagonist
Story's central figure
leading role · tragic hero · principal character · soliloquy · monologue
Greek chorusinternal monologue
Unspoken self-directed thought
stream of consciousness · aside · personal testimony · unreliable narrator
Greek chorusagent
One who acts independently
active participant · prime mover · instigator · dramatic actor · catalyst
chore, chorus, Greek, choreography, Greeks, choreographic, choreographies