『비극의 탄생』에 나타난 코러스의 치유성에 관한 연구

Abstract

This study aims to explore curative properties of tragedy and chorus based on Nietzsche's thought. The Greek tragedy is synthetic art combining poetry, singing, and dancing. It is widely recognized as art that deals with deep reflection on human beings and an inquisitive spirit. Nietzsche as a Greek philologist is interested in the relationship between Greek society and Greek tragedy, and tries to explore why the tragedy was bloomed in Greece. The tragedy represents pains of the protagonist in a terrible situation. The tragic character shows agony of tragic life. Nevertheless, the Greeks joined to the painful life of the tragic characters. Nietzsche says that they felt courage and liberty in the face of fears in tragedy. Nietzsche succeeding Schopenhauer claims that people should not stay in the painful life, but have to move to a positive life by overcoming the tragic life. When art is considered as a great stimulus to positive life, it is necessary to pay attention to the chorus, one of the characteristics of tragedy. In Tragic history, the facts that Thespis was the first actor and the number of actors gradually increased by tragic writers, support that the tragedy was consisted only of the chorus without actor before Thespis. Chorus is characterized by a group of dance and music. Music is the art of purifying the human soul. Nietzsche considering music as the art making positive life and as the essence of Greek tragedy, thought that Greek musical spirit was revealed in Dithyrambos, the anthem of Dionysos. Depending on the fact that the tragedy is originated from Dithyrambos, it seems that the tragedy inherited the traits of Dionysos and the values of chorus. According to Nietzsche, chorus is energy for positive life and thus it can be a shortcut toward the principle of unity. Through the chorus, the audience arrive to absolute unity and they rise above self by becoming integrated into the tragic characters. The unity of the audience and the chorus is a moment of relief from the pain of reality in a state of self-surrender. Therefore, chorus, the musical group of priests of Dionysos, can be called a modern music therapist or a theater therapist. The Greeks have been able to overcome their lives and cultivate a cheerful spirit through tragedy in favor of the healing power of chorus.