1. Prologue: A monologue or dialogue preceding the entry of the chorus, which presents the tragedy's topic
Structure of Greek Tragedy
2. Parode (Entrance Ode): The entry chant of the chorus, often in an anapestic (short-short-long) marching rhythm (four feet per line). Generally, they remain on stage throughout the remainder of the play. Although they wear masks, their dancing is expressive, as conveyed by the hands, arms and body.Typically the parode and other choral odes involve the following parts, repeated in order several times:
1. Strophe (Turn): A stanza in which the chorus moves in one direction towards the alter.
2. Antistrophe (Counter-Turn): The following stanza, in which the chorus moves in the opposite direction. Both the strophe and antistrophe are in the same meter
3. Epode (After-Song): The epode is in a different, but related meter to the previous stanzas. It is changed by a motionless chorus. However, the epode is often obmitted, meaning there may be a series of strophe-antistrophes without an epode.
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3. Episode: There are several episodes (typically 3-5) in which one or two actors interact with the chorus. They are, at least in part, sung or chanted. Speeches and dialogue are typically iambic hexameter: six iambs (short-long) per line, but rhythmic anapests are also common. In lyric passages the meters are treated flexibly.
4. Stasimon (Stationary Song): A choral ode in which the chorus may comment on or react to the preceding episode.
5. Exode (Exit Ode): The exit song of the chorus after the last episode.