Catharsis: The choral ode provides an opportunity for emotional release for the audience and the actors. It offers a moment of reflection, catharsis, and emotional cleansing, allowing the audience to process and come to terms with the tragic events on stage.
Comment on the Themes: The choral ode often provides a broader perspective on the themes and central issues of the tragedy. The chorus provides commentary, insights, and wisdom, adding a layer of depth to the play's exploration of various themes. They may reflect on the characters, the actions taken, moral lessons, the nature of justice and fate.
Emotional Contrast: The choral ode creates a contrast to the intensity and the dramatic tension of the preceding scene or act. The change in pace, tone, and content can create a sense of relief or pause before the play builds up to its conclusion.
Heightening Suspense and Tension: The ode may also heighten suspense and anticipation for what is to come in the final scenes of the tragedy. It can hint at upcoming events, build tension, or foreshadow future actions, leaving the audience eager for the play's resolution.
Offering Guidance: The chorus sometimes offers guidance or advice to the characters on stage, as a collective voice reflecting the communal wisdom and values of the society depicted. This can highlight the contrast between the characters' choices and the more prudent or moral option.
Adding Poetic and Artistic Value: The choral odes provide a form of poetic expression within the play. They are highly stylized, lyrical, and often incorporate imagery, symbolism, and rich musical elements, enhancing the overall artistic quality and beauty of the production.