古希臘戲劇的起源

張嵐

關(guān)于古希臘戲劇的起源存在著多種理論，其中一個最普遍為人所接受的理論認(rèn)為戲劇從宗教儀式演化而來，另一個理論則認(rèn)為戲劇來自人們對敘述故事的興趣，還有一個理論將戲劇的起源與那些有節(jié)奏的舞蹈或者動物動作和聲音的模仿聯(lián)系在一起。

There are many theories about the beginning of drama in ancient Greece. The one 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 fearful powers. Those measures which appeared to bring the desired results were then retained and repeated until they hardened into fixed rituals （儀式）. Eventually stories arose， which explained or veiled（掩飾） 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 and the revival of the Sun—as an actor might. Eventually such dramatic representations were separated from religious activities. Another theory traces the theater？蒺s origin from the human interest in storytelling. According to this view， 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.

1. Which of the following about the beginning of drama in ancient Greece is most widely accepted today？

A. Drama originated from religious activities.

B. Drama originated from the human interest in storytelling.

C. Drama is closely related to rhythmical and gymnastic dances.

D. Drama originated from imitations of animal movements and sounds.

2. How many theories about the beginning of drama in ancient Greece are mentioned？

A. 2. B. 3. C. 4. D. 5.

3. From which column is this text likely to be taken？

A. Economy. B. Science C. Travel. D. Culture.

Difficult sentence

The one most widely accepted today is based on the assumption that drama evolved from ritual.

【翻譯】

【點石成金】這是一個復(fù)合句。The one most widely accepted today is based on the assumption是主句。that引導(dǎo)的是同位語從句，對前面的名詞the assumption起補(bǔ)充解釋作用，兩者之間是同位關(guān)系。