Which device in Greek drama involves the chorus responding to a previous stanza of verse?

Which device in Greek drama involves the chorus responding to a previous stanza of verse?

• A. Prologue
• B. Epode
• C. Strophe
• D. Antistrophe

Answer: (D)

In ancient Greek drama, choral odes unfold in an alternating, antiphonal pattern: the strophe moves one way with a particular stance, and the next section, the antistrophe, answers and mirrors that stance, effectively responding to the previous stanza. This back-and-forth creates a dialogue within the chorus and with the unfolding action. The final portion, the epode, is a concluding reflection after the strophe and antistrophe. So when the chorus is described as responding to a previous stanza, that responsive section is the antistrophe.

In ancient Greek drama, choral odes unfold in an alternating, antiphonal pattern: the strophe moves one way with a particular stance, and the next section, the antistrophe, answers and mirrors that stance, effectively responding to the previous stanza. This back-and-forth creates a dialogue within the chorus and with the unfolding action. The final portion, the epode, is a concluding reflection after the strophe and antistrophe. So when the chorus is described as responding to a previous stanza, that responsive section is the antistrophe.