Antistrophe (Ancient Greek: ἀντιστροφή, meaning "a turning back") is the part of an ode sung by the chorus when it moves back from west to east. This happens after the strophe, which is the part of the ode sung by the chorus as it moves from east to west.

Characteristics

In poetry, the antistrophe acts as a response to the strophe, creating a balance between the two parts. For example, in Thomas Gray's ode titled "The Progress of Poesy" (example below), the strophe celebrates the beauty, strength, and joy of poetry with happy and strong words. The antistrophe then follows, using a quieter and more sorrowful tone to contrast with the strophe.

After the parts of the chorus finish their replies, they join together in the epode. This shows the triple structure of the ode, which was used in ancient Greek hymns starting from the time of Stesichorus. As John Milton wrote, "strophe, antistrophe, and epode were a type of stanza created for the music used with the chorus that sang."

The word "antistrophe" also described an ancient dance. Dancers moved to the right and left, sometimes turning in pairs. The movement to the left was called antistrophe, named from the Greek words "anti," meaning "against," and "strophe," from "strephein," meaning "to turn."