Journal #11

In the beginning of the play, the chorus took the role of giving background information to the characters. Information about what has happened in the past was given. This information is important to know what is currently happening and why it is happening. Now, the chorus doesn't really talk about the characters or the plot itself, but rather about the concept and the characteristics of tragedy. The elements of a tragedy are explained, describing it as "clean, it is restful, it is flawless" with no hope. In commenting on the tragic elements of the play, the chorus relates it to other things and uses many examples. At first, a coiled spring is used as a metaphor to describe tragedy. Then, a machine and the example of "an executioner's ax goes up at the end of the act" are used. These objects and examples are used to help the readers understand tragedy the way the chorus wants them to. The author seems to use an authoritative or absolute tone. The chorus describes tragedy in a way that makes it seem that there is no other kind of tragedy and this is it. It seems the chorus is saying what I am telling you is tragedy. I saw this when the chorus says stuff like "that, you cannot do" or "that is vulgar; it's practical" (24).