Final answer:
The Chorus in ancient Greek tragedies served as a narrator, offered commentary, participated in the action with the actors, and bridged the gap between performers and audience. They sang the Parode and Stasimon, being integral to the development of the play's themes and emotional atmosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of the Chorus in a play, especially in ancient Greek tragedies, is multifaceted. The Chorus typically serves as a narrator to introduce the scene and set the overall tone of the play. They participate in the action, interact with the actors, and offer commentary on the events unfolding on stage. Importantly, the Chorus would sing the Parode upon their entry and later perform Stasimon, which are choric odes within the tragedy. Their songs and utterances contribute to the development of the story's theme, heightening the dramatic atmosphere and providing critical reflections on the play's moral and social implications. The involvement of the Chorus makes them an integral part of the whole, as they should be considered one of the actors sharing in the action.
In works such as those by Sophocles, the Chorus is deeply interconnected with the narrative, unlike later poets where the Chorus's songs may not be as closely related to the play's subject. Additionally, the Chorus's ability to directly communicate with the audience and the characters allows them to bridge the gap between performers and viewers, guiding the latter through the emotional landscape of the play.