1. A Chorus in Greek Tragedy: In ancient Greek plays, the chorus was a group of performers who sang and danced, commenting on the action and representing the views of the community. They were not individual characters with their own personalities, but rather a collective voice.
2. A Chorus in Modern Plays: While modern plays rarely have a traditional chorus, they might feature a group of characters who function similarly. This could be a group of friends, family members, or townspeople who offer commentary, foreshadowing, or even a contrasting perspective to the main plot.
3. A Collective Character: In literature, a "choral character" can also be a single character who embodies the collective voice of a society, group, or era. This character might not have individual motivations or desires, but instead represents the common sentiments, beliefs, or experiences of a larger group.
For example:
* In Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," the character of Mr. Collins could be considered a choral character, representing the narrow-minded and socially conservative attitudes of his time.
* In George Orwell's "Animal Farm," the pigs, especially Napoleon, could be seen as representing the oppressive nature of totalitarian regimes.
In summary:
A choral character can be:
* A group of performers who function as a chorus in a play.
* A group of characters who collectively provide commentary or perspective in a play.
* A single character who embodies the collective voice of a society, group, or era in a literary work.
The specific meaning of "choral character" will depend on the context of the work.