Kommos

Definition

A kommos is a lyrical exchange between the chorus and a principal character in Greek tragedy, often filled with emotional intensity and lamentation. It serves as a way to express grief, sorrow, or catharsis, allowing both the character and the chorus to engage deeply with the unfolding drama. This element highlights the strong connection between the characters’ emotional journeys and the collective voice of the chorus, enriching the overall narrative and thematic depth of the performance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Kommos typically occurs at pivotal moments in a tragedy when characters are experiencing intense emotional upheaval.
2. This form allows for direct interaction between the protagonist and the chorus, enhancing the emotional stakes of the narrative.
3. The structure of a kommos usually involves alternating lines of dialogue or song between the character and the chorus, creating a dynamic rhythm.
4. Kommos serves not only to heighten drama but also to provide moments of reflection for the audience on themes such as fate, loss, and human suffering.
5. While rooted in traditional forms, kommos also showcases variations in style depending on the playwright, revealing different emotional landscapes.

Review Questions

• How does a kommos function to deepen the emotional impact of a Greek tragedy?
  • A kommos enhances the emotional impact by providing a lyrical platform where a character can express deep sorrow while engaging with the chorus. This interaction creates a shared moment of grief and reflection that resonates with the audience. The emotional intensity conveyed through this exchange invites viewers to empathize with both the protagonist's plight and the chorus's collective response.
• Compare the role of a kommos to that of a stasimon in Greek tragedies.
  • Both kommos and stasimon serve important functions within Greek tragedies, yet they differ in their execution and purpose. A kommos features a direct dialogue between a character and the chorus during emotionally charged moments, while a stasimon is a more structured choral ode that reflects on broader themes and events after scenes have unfolded. The kommos is often more personal and immediate, while stasima provides an overarching commentary on the narrative.
• Evaluate how the use of kommos reflects larger themes in Greek tragedy and its significance in understanding character motivations.
  • The use of kommos reveals deeper themes such as fate, human suffering, and communal experience in Greek tragedy. By showcasing characters' emotional turmoil through lamentations shared with the chorus, playwrights highlight individual motivations within a societal context. This interplay between personal grief and collective response underscores how characters navigate their fates, enriching our understanding of their internal struggles and moral dilemmas within the narrative framework.

Related terms

Chorus:

A group of performers who comment on the action of a play through song, dance, and dialogue, providing insights and reflections on the main events.

Stasimon:

A choral ode sung by the chorus after they have taken their position in the orchestra, usually reflecting on themes and emotions relevant to the plot.

Lament: A passionate expression of grief or sorrow, often articulated in poetry or music, frequently utilized within tragedies to convey deep emotional states.