The aim of the chorus in Oedipus the King is to create an atmosphere of tension and emphasize the effect of tragedy which will help the reader delve into the essence of the drama. Although the chorus cannot be called a full-fledged character with a unique personality and habits, it sets the narrative’s tone and increases the degree of tension in difficult moments. The proof of this will be the final scene, where the chorus addresses its message, full of despair, to the listeners: “Count no mortal happy till he has passed the final limit of his life secure from pain” (Oedipus the King, 2012, line 1727). The scene sounds as if Oedipus is dead and has found relief in his death. In fact, readers understand that Oedipus must be alive and in absolute ignorance of what to do and where to move on. The ability of the chorus to make people feel the emotions of the characters and create a magnificent and large-scale effect of tragedy is deeply noticeably from the first to the last line of the work.
Reference
Oedipus the King. (2012). University of Chicago Press.