Intermediary

Definition

An intermediary is a figure that acts as a bridge or mediator between different characters, events, or ideas within a narrative. This role is crucial in shaping interactions and understanding the relationships among characters, often providing insight and commentary that deepens the audience's comprehension of the unfolding drama.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Intermediaries can take various forms, including characters like messengers or the chorus, who help explain plot developments or character motivations.
2. The presence of an intermediary often enhances dramatic tension by revealing secrets or foretelling events that affect character decisions.
3. Intermediaries can serve to guide the audience's emotional responses and understanding of complex themes through their insights.
4. In many Greek tragedies, intermediaries highlight the moral dilemmas faced by characters, offering a broader perspective on human experiences.
5. By mediating between characters and the audience, intermediaries help clarify conflicting viewpoints and deepen the exploration of themes such as fate and free will.

Review Questions

• How does an intermediary function to enhance the audience's understanding of character dynamics?
  • An intermediary enhances the audience's understanding of character dynamics by acting as a conduit for information and emotion. This figure often provides commentary on interactions, revealing hidden motives or backstories that might not be apparent through direct dialogue. By doing so, intermediaries help to frame the relationships among characters in a way that fosters deeper engagement with the narrative.
• In what ways do intermediaries influence the thematic development of a Greek tragedy?
  • Intermediaries influence thematic development in Greek tragedy by articulating central ideas and moral conflicts faced by characters. For example, through their commentary or messages, they can highlight themes like fate versus free will or the consequences of hubris. This role allows them to not only advance the plot but also to delve into philosophical questions that resonate with the audience, encouraging reflection on these timeless issues.
• Evaluate how the use of intermediaries in Greek tragedy affects audience engagement with moral dilemmas presented in the plays.
  • The use of intermediaries in Greek tragedy significantly affects audience engagement with moral dilemmas by providing a lens through which these complex issues are examined. Intermediaries often articulate the conflicting values and emotional turmoil faced by characters, prompting viewers to reflect on their own beliefs and ethical choices. This creates a space for critical thinking and emotional involvement as audiences grapple with the profound questions raised by both the intermediaries and the actions of the main characters.

Related terms

Chorus:

A group of performers who comment on the action of the play, providing context, insights, and emotional responses that influence the audience's interpretation.

Messenger: A character responsible for conveying important information or news between characters, often serving to move the plot forward.

Allegory: A narrative technique where characters and events symbolize deeper meanings or moral lessons, often allowing intermediaries to articulate these connections.