1. This is a very unusual Parodos. Usually the chorus enters as a group and sings an ode. Here there is an operatic duet between Nurse and Medea along with the chorus, an early example of the actors encroaching on the role of the chorus. The chorus is of citizen women, the only Corinthians of citizen families in the play. This fact gives them a certain political importance, in their reactions to their king and his punishment of Medea, for example. They announce the arrival of Creon, but notice that they utter not a word in his presence. Their sympathy for Medea’s sufferings from her husband’s abuse is apparent from the start. As is the usual practice this chorus announces the reasons for its arrival: they have heard Medea’s cries and been saddened. They agree that she has been wronged and not only hererand now, but in the cosmic court of justice, "Zeus will set this right" (158, literally, "Zeus will act as your co-defendant").