英语四六级考试精选背诵文集(5)
日期:2008-10-07 22:13

(单词翻译:单击)

  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 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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重点单词
  • containedadj. 泰然自若的,从容的;被控制的 v. 包含;遏制
  • communityn. 社区,社会,团体,共同体,公众,[生]群落
  • actingn. 演戏,行为,假装 adj. 代理的,临时的,供演出
  • considerableadj. 相当大的,可观的,重要的
  • unknownadj. 未知的,不出名的
  • suitableadj. 合适的,适宜的 adv. 合适地,恰当地
  • separatedadj. 分居;分开的;不在一起生活的 v. 分开;隔开
  • dramaticadj. 戏剧性的,引人注目的,给人深刻印象的 dram
  • narratorn. 叙述者,讲解员
  • participatevt. 分享 vi. 参加,参与