Samuel Murphy

Col Miller

ENG 205WX

2/6/18

Henry V: King, Chorus, and Critics

The article explains the how the Chorus asserts itself as a character in Shakespeare’s plays. Shakespeare wasn’t told how to write his plays, so in this case he gives every ounce of thought to make his plays worthwhile. The Chorus responds to different scenes to grab the audience attention and to make the audience think of the situation. On (Danson pg. 29) the article it says, “the Chorus can call attention to the play’s inherent theatrical limitations”. The Chorus plays an important role to either relieve the audience of the situations in the play or to input opinions to the audience. It mentions the chorus has emotional ties with Shakespeare’s plays. From apologizing, intimidating, happiness or even sorrow, The Chorus delivers a speech to capture the audience feelings. The Chorus would also talk about the setting before the plays to warn the audience of what might happen. They could also speak about historical events that takes place within the play or real life. The Chorus in Shakespeare plays are important because the set a tone, given background information, an expresses its emotions as if it were a character within the play.

 

Danson, Lawrence. Henry V: King, Chorus, and Critics. pg 27-43