Journal #11 Antigone

The role of the chorus has changed quite significantly from last night's reading. The first that stood out to me what that the chorus was actually addressing the reader (or viewer) by saying "you". I don't recall that occurring in last night's reading to it is interesting to me that Anouilh would have the chorus begin to address the audience at this time. It made the chorus more personal so it felt like I had to look at my own experiences with what the play is discussing, whereas before I occasionally made connections to my own life. Also the chorus changed in that it wasn't discussing events that occurred during the play rather it was talking about what makes a tragedy a tragedy, kind of like what we have been doing in class, so it was nice to take a step back from the play and see Anouilh's opinion of tragedy. The chorus takes somewhat of an authoritative tone towards the reader, it didn't really as questions, more so told it like it is. It specifically tells you what tragedy is, and what tragedy is not, so it adds to the overall power of the chorus because when it becomes a reliable source in the beginning it will likely remain a reliable source throughout the rest of the play, so the reader/viewer can trust the chorus. Unless the reader/viewer has trouble with authority, in which case he or she may not like the chorus for the rest of the play. The chorus comments on tragic elements of the play by dictating what is tragedy and what is not tragedy.