托福写作高分范文：戏剧开始
The Beginning of DramaThere 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 seasonal 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 fixed rituals.
Eventually stories arose which explained or veiled the mysteries of the rites.
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 acting area and the auditorium. In addition, there
were performers, and, since considerable importance was attached to avoiding
mistakes in the enactment of rites, religious leaders usually assumed that task.
Wearing masks and costumes, they often impersonated other people, animals, or
supernatural beings, and mimed the desired effect-success in hunt or battle, the
coming rain, the revival 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 rhythmical and gymnastic or that are imitations of animal
movements and sounds.
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