In Oedipus Rex, the Chorus acts as an
intermediary, much like Jocasta will later when she comes between Oedipus and Creon.
They try to be the voice of "reason" (logos) in response to the
anger (pathos) of both Oedipus and
Teiresias.
To
us it seems that both the seer and thou,
O Oedipus, have spoken angry
words.
This is no time to wrangle but consult
How best we may
fulfill the oracle.
The
Chorus seems to be saying that anger makes both men blind: it clouds the truth by
placing emotion over logic.
The Chorus will end their song
with several rhetorical questions:
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But that a mortal seer knows more than I
know—where
Hath this been proven? Or how without sign assured, can I
blame
Him who saved our State when the winged songstress
came,
Tested and tried in the light of us all, like gold
assayed?
How can I now assent when a crime is on Oedipus
laid?
They are acting as the
voice of the audience here, not sure who to trust, the young, brash King Oedipus or the
surly, experienced blind prophet Teiresias. Overall, their role is to portray the ideal
audience, as they echo the play's themes throughout.
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