05 The Beginning of Drama
There are many theories about the beginning of drama in ancient Greece. The on most widely accepted today is based on the assumption that drama evolved from ritual. The argument for this view goes as follows. In the beginning, human beings viewed the natural forces of the world-even the seasonal1 changes-as unpredictable, and they sought through various means to control these unknown and feared powers. Those measures which appeared to bring the desired results were then retained and repeated until they hardened into fixed2 rituals. Eventually stories arose which explained or veiled the mysteries of the rites3. As time passed some rituals were abandoned, but the stories, later called myths, persisted and provided material for art and drama.
Those who believe that drama evolved out of ritual also argue that those rites contained the seed of theater because music, dance, masks, and costumes were almost always used, Furthermore, a suitable site had to be provided for performances and when the entire community did not participate, a clear division was usually made between the "acting4 area" and the "auditorium5." In addition, there were performers, and, since considerable importance was attached to avoiding mistakes in the enactment6 of rites, religious leaders usually assumed that task. Wearing masks and costumes, they often impersonated other people, animals, or supernatural beings, and mimed7 the desired effect-success in hunt or battle, the coming rain, the revival8 of the Sun-as an actor might. Eventually such dramatic representations were separated from religious activities.
Another theory traces the theater's origin from the human interest in storytelling. According to this vies tales (about the hunt, war, or other feats) are gradually elaborated, at first through the use of impersonation, action, and dialogue by a narrator and then through the assumption of each of the roles by a different person. A closely related theory traces theater to those dances that are primarily rhythmical9 and gymnastic or that are imitations of animal movements and sounds.
1 seasonal adj.季節(jié)的，季節(jié)性的 參考例句： The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.這個(gè)城鎮(zhèn)依靠季節(jié)性旅游業(yè)提供就業(yè)機(jī)會(huì)。 The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是應(yīng)時(shí)蔬菜。 2 fixed adj.固定的，不變的，準(zhǔn)備好的；(計(jì)算機(jī))固定的 參考例句： Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你們倆選定婚期了嗎？ Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目標(biāo)一旦確定，我們就不應(yīng)該隨意改變。 3 rites 儀式，典禮( rite的名詞復(fù)數(shù) ) 參考例句： to administer the last rites to sb 給某人舉行臨終圣事 He is interested in mystic rites and ceremonies. 他對(duì)神秘的儀式感興趣。 4 acting n.演戲，行為，假裝；adj.代理的，臨時(shí)的，演出用的 參考例句： Ignore her,she's just acting.別理她，她只是假裝的。 During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。 5 auditorium n.觀眾席，聽(tīng)眾席；會(huì)堂，禮堂 參考例句： The teacher gathered all the pupils in the auditorium.老師把全體同學(xué)集合在禮堂內(nèi)。 The stage is thrust forward into the auditorium.舞臺(tái)向前突出，伸入觀眾席。 6 enactment n.演出，擔(dān)任…角色；制訂，通過(guò) 參考例句： Enactment refers to action.演出指行為的表演。 We support the call for the enactment of a Bill of Rights.我們支持要求通過(guò)《權(quán)利法案》的呼聲。 7 mimed v.指手畫(huà)腳地表演，用啞劇的形式表演( mime的過(guò)去式和過(guò)去分詞 ) 參考例句： The man mimed the slaying of an enemy. 此人比手劃腳地表演砍死一個(gè)敵人的情況。 來(lái)自《現(xiàn)代英漢綜合大詞典》 The acting students mimed eating an apple. 這些學(xué)生正在用啞劇形式表演吃蘋(píng)果。 來(lái)自互聯(lián)網(wǎng) 8 revival n.復(fù)興，復(fù)蘇，（精力、活力等的）重振 參考例句： The period saw a great revival in the wine trade.這一時(shí)期葡萄酒業(yè)出現(xiàn)了很大的復(fù)蘇。 He claimed the housing market was showing signs of a revival.他指出房地產(chǎn)市場(chǎng)正出現(xiàn)復(fù)蘇的跡象。 9 rhythmical adj.有節(jié)奏的，有韻律的 參考例句： His breathing became more rhythmical.他的呼吸變得更有節(jié)奏了。 The music is strongly rhythmical.那音樂(lè)有強(qiáng)烈的節(jié)奏。
1 seasonal adj.季節(jié)的，季節(jié)性的 參考例句： The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.這個(gè)城鎮(zhèn)依靠季節(jié)性旅游業(yè)提供就業(yè)機(jī)會(huì)。 The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是應(yīng)時(shí)蔬菜。 2 fixed adj.固定的，不變的，準(zhǔn)備好的；(計(jì)算機(jī))固定的 參考例句： Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你們倆選定婚期了嗎？ Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目標(biāo)一旦確定，我們就不應(yīng)該隨意改變。 3 rites 儀式，典禮( rite的名詞復(fù)數(shù) ) 參考例句： to administer the last rites to sb 給某人舉行臨終圣事 He is interested in mystic rites and ceremonies. 他對(duì)神秘的儀式感興趣。 4 acting n.演戲，行為，假裝；adj.代理的，臨時(shí)的，演出用的 參考例句： Ignore her,she's just acting.別理她，她只是假裝的。 During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。 5 auditorium n.觀眾席，聽(tīng)眾席；會(huì)堂，禮堂 參考例句： The teacher gathered all the pupils in the auditorium.老師把全體同學(xué)集合在禮堂內(nèi)。 The stage is thrust forward into the auditorium.舞臺(tái)向前突出，伸入觀眾席。 6 enactment n.演出，擔(dān)任…角色；制訂，通過(guò) 參考例句： Enactment refers to action.演出指行為的表演。 We support the call for the enactment of a Bill of Rights.我們支持要求通過(guò)《權(quán)利法案》的呼聲。 7 mimed v.指手畫(huà)腳地表演，用啞劇的形式表演( mime的過(guò)去式和過(guò)去分詞 ) 參考例句： The man mimed the slaying of an enemy. 此人比手劃腳地表演砍死一個(gè)敵人的情況。 來(lái)自《現(xiàn)代英漢綜合大詞典》 The acting students mimed eating an apple. 這些學(xué)生正在用啞劇形式表演吃蘋(píng)果。 來(lái)自互聯(lián)網(wǎng) 8 revival n.復(fù)興，復(fù)蘇，（精力、活力等的）重振 參考例句： The period saw a great revival in the wine trade.這一時(shí)期葡萄酒業(yè)出現(xiàn)了很大的復(fù)蘇。 He claimed the housing market was showing signs of a revival.他指出房地產(chǎn)市場(chǎng)正出現(xiàn)復(fù)蘇的跡象。 9 rhythmical adj.有節(jié)奏的，有韻律的 參考例句： His breathing became more rhythmical.他的呼吸變得更有節(jié)奏了。 The music is strongly rhythmical.那音樂(lè)有強(qiáng)烈的節(jié)奏。