parados

Parados, or parodos in the singular, is a term from ancient Greek theatre referring to both the entrance of the chorus and the accompanying passageways by which it enters the performance space, as well as the first choral ode sung when the chorus enters. The word is derived from Greek roots meaning “alongside” or “beside” and “a way” or “lane,” reflecting its architectural and musical function.

Architecturally, parodoi were the two side entrances or aisles that connected the stage area with the seating area surrounding the orchestra. These passages allowed the chorus to enter the playing space from offstage and, in some productions, provided routes for actors and movement between scenes. The choreography and timing of the chorus’s entrance through the parodoi were a standard feature of classical Greek tragedy and comedy, helping to frame the action that followed.

In dramatic structure, the parodos denotes the opening chorus ode as the chorus enters. This first choral section serves to establish tone, provide background or context, and present a perspective on the ensuing action. It functions as a transition from the prologue (if present) to the alternating episodes of dialogue and choral commentary that characterize the play’s progression. The parodos thus plays a crucial role in setting mood and guiding the audience’s interpretation of the drama.

In scholarship, parodos is used primarily to describe the chorus’s entry and its musical ode in tragedy and, less commonly, in certain comedies. While the architectural parodoi may be less visible in modern productions, the concept remains a key element in understanding the staging and structure of ancient Greek theatrical art.