While there were choral elements in earlier Greek poetry, Aeschylus is credited with significantly developing the use of the chorus in his plays. He integrated the chorus more fully into the narrative, using them not just as commentators but as active participants who interacted directly with the characters and advanced the plot.
The choral odes within Aeschylus' plays served several functions:
* To provide commentary on the action
* To offer moral reflections
* To express the audience's emotions
* To heighten the dramatic tension
* To advance the plot
While the precise origin of choral works within poetry remains debated, Aeschylus' innovative use of the chorus in his plays had a lasting impact on the development of Western theater and poetry.