Medea Journal 1

The chorus in Medea and the chorus in Oedipus differ for a number of reasons. For one, the chorus in Medea is specified as being all women. This provides a recurring mention of women being important members of society, a possible theme for the play. In both plays, the main characters address the chorus like they are good friends. In Medea, however, the chorus actually suggests things to her, offering her advice. "If your husband has gone to adore/A new bride in his bed, why, this/Has often happened before./Do not harrow your soul. For Zeus/Will succor your cause. What use/To lessen your life with grief/For a lost lord?"(38) The chorus in Oedupus, for the most part, seems to take a less prominent, not interacting with the characters as much but instead giving observations of the situation. The chorus in Medea has a fairly interactive role, while the chorus in Oedipus is more of a foil to Oedipus and his plight.