Kommos

Definition

A kommos is a lyrical exchange between actors and the chorus in ancient Greek tragedy, often expressing deep emotional content and lamentation. This dramatic convention serves as a moment of catharsis, allowing characters to vocalize their pain, grief, or distress, which enhances the emotional impact of the play. The kommos typically occurs during pivotal moments in the narrative, creating a bridge between dialogue and lyrical expression.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The kommos typically features a call-and-response structure, where an actor expresses grief or lament, and the chorus responds, enhancing the emotional intensity.
2. This element is often placed at crucial points in the narrative, such as after a tragic event or during a character's moment of realization.
3. Kommos serves not only to convey emotion but also to reflect broader themes of fate, suffering, and the human condition found in Greek tragedies.
4. The use of kommos is particularly prominent in plays by tragedians like Euripides, who emphasized emotional expression and character depth.
5. The transition from spoken dialogue to the lyrical form of kommos marks a significant shift in the dramatic tone, often underscoring the tragedy's impact on both characters and the audience.

Review Questions

• How does the structure of a kommos contribute to its emotional impact within a Greek tragedy?
  • The structure of a kommos is crucial to its emotional impact as it employs a call-and-response format that engages both actors and chorus in expressing grief or lamentation. This interaction allows for heightened emotional resonance, making the audience feel the characters' pain more profoundly. Additionally, by positioning the kommos at critical moments in the narrative, it emphasizes key themes such as loss and suffering, creating a powerful moment of catharsis.
• Discuss the role of the chorus in relation to the kommos in ancient Greek tragedies.
  • The chorus plays a vital role in the kommos by providing a communal voice that amplifies the individual expressions of grief from the actors. Their responses not only validate the characters' emotions but also contextualize these feelings within broader societal or moral frameworks. The chorus's participation transforms personal lamentation into a collective experience, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with both characters and shared human experiences.
• Evaluate how Euripides' use of kommos differs from that of his contemporaries and its significance in shaping character development.
  • Euripides often used kommos more prominently than his contemporaries, focusing on psychological complexity and emotional depth. While other tragedians might have reserved lyrical moments for thematic reflections, Euripides employed kommos as a direct exploration of his characters' inner turmoil. This approach allowed audiences to witness not just the external conflicts but also intimate struggles, making characters relatable and their tragedies more impactful. His innovative use of kommos contributed to evolving dramatic forms by emphasizing character-driven storytelling.

Related terms

Chorus: A group of performers in ancient Greek theater that comment on the action and themes of the play through song and dance, often providing context or emotional depth.

Stasimon: A choral ode performed by the chorus in Greek tragedy, typically occurring between episodes of action and offering reflections on the unfolding drama.

Euripides: One of the three great ancient Greek tragedians, known for his innovative use of dramatic structure, complex characters, and incorporation of emotional elements such as kommos.