Role of the Chorus and its effect on the audience, as seen in Dr Faustus and Murder in the Cathedral

Faustus’ induction in the play by the chorus indicates the interests of the common man during the 18th Century. As the Medieval Age was being shadowed by the New Era of modern thinking and Renaissance paved the way for the focus of interest in areas more than just theology; literature, the sciences and other arts were also of considerable interest during that time. The chorus also indicates that a common-born scholar, like Faustus is just as important as wars fought by kings, or ‘the pomp of proud audacious deeds’, indicating the social equality the Renaissance brought with it. The story of Icarus’ downfall is brought out in direct comparison to Faustus’ life. The Chorus has thus described the downfall of Faustus for he ‘becomes swollen with cunning’; pride and arrogance are what lead to his downfall. The chorus then concludes the 1st scene by referring to Faustus as ‘the man in his study sits’.

As the play ends, the chorus appears again and brings out the moral to the audience; it makes the audience reflect on what has happened in the play. Like a well-informed observer, the chorus makes wise reflections on what has occurred. In doing so, the chorus fulfills it purpose. In pursuit of power beyond human limitation, Faustus devolves into an altogether different person from what he was before he starts learning magic. This leads to one of the main morals of the story which goes to show that power can lead to corruption. Faustus soul is carried away by devils; this invariably makes Faustus earn some amount of sympathy for his damnation. The scholars agree to pray for him and as the clock strikes twelve, the audience is left with a feeling of a bitter end for Faustus. The play ends with a note of warning as the gates of hell are left wide open, waiting to admit all those who follow Faustus’ ways.

The chorus in MITC gives the audience a background of what comes before the play starts. It introduces the theme of danger in the play; these women speak intuitively about the danger about to befall Canterbury. The repetitive language stresses elements of patience and stresses the fact that danger lies elsewhere; not with them but towards the Archbishop. Becket is about to return to his homeland after 7 years of exile in France. They prophecy doom visiting upon them and Beckett becoming a saint. This adds to tension and anticipation in the plot of the play. The chorus serves as a commentary in parts of the book and Becket knows about the danger of his remaining in Canterbury but inspite of all that he decides to come for the sake of his people, his return shows that he’s is not afraid of death. He faces threat from his enemies, King Henry the ruling monarch of England. The repetitive but explicit language used by the chorus which pleads Becket, ‘0 Thomas return, Archbishop; return, return to France,’ but Becket’s simply dismisses the end as ‘sudden, simple and god-given’. Eliot has used the chorus to bring out the question of Becket’s return to hiding to his attention. This has in turn helped to bring out Becket’s response which shows his unwavering courage, his moral fortitude and his faith in God.

Throughout the play the chorus refers to their unfortunate and pitiable peasant-like conditions, ‘living and partly living’ describes their way of life.  The chorus mediates between the action and the audience. It helps to intensify the action by projecting its emotional consequences, so that the audience sees it doubly by seeing its effect on other people. It has also helped bring out contemporary issues in the play like, the effect of a corrupted law system on the lower sections of society; their plight can be clearly seen in the chorus.

The tone of the chorus turns from desperation to despair. There is animal imagery in their speech and they see sure death for Becket as the plot unfolds. The speech of the chorus is somewhat colloquial; it captures the attention of the audience and bridges the gap between the spiritual level of the theme of the play and the everyday experience of the audience. By the end of the play the Chorus has brought out the mercy of Christ through the martyrdom of Becket. This is an essential feature of the theme of the play and leaves the people of Canterbury or rather the chorus to look into themselves for their faults. They ‘fear the injustice of men more than the justice of God’. In achieving martyrdom, Becket achieves what he desires, the good of his people and their turning to god’s ways.