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What role did the chorus play in Greek tragedies?

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Map showing the chief cities of Ancient Greece and surrounding regions, including locations such as Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Delphi, Thebes, Troy, Olympia, Syracuse, and Ephesus, along with notable islands and mountain ranges in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. — Greek literature A map shows the major regions and cities of ancient Greece.

In Classical Greek drama, the chorus functioned as a group of performers who described and commented on the main action of a play through song, dance, and recitation. Their role was central to the artistry of tragedy, providing a contrast between their own relative passivity and the active defiance of the protagonists.1

Specifically, the chorus served to:
* Formulate and express moral issues: They often commented on the moral dilemmas raised by the dramatic action.2
* Represent the public voice: They expressed the fears, hopes, and judgments of the polity—the average citizens—acting as a "verdict of history".1
* Reflect emotional states: They expressed emotions appropriate to the various stages of the dramatic conflict.2

While the chorus was dominant in early plays, its role evolved over time. As the importance of individual actors increased, the chorus was often reduced to a commentarial role or became decorative interludes. In the works of Euripides, for example, the chorus became increasingly detached from the dramatic action as his career progressed.13