The Beginning of Drama戲劇的起源
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.關於古希臘戲劇的起源有很多理論，其中一個現在最爲普遍被人接受的理論是建立在戲劇從宗教儀式演化而來這一假設的基礎上。
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.這個觀點是這樣進行論證的。一開始，人類把世界上的自然力量，甚至季節的變化都看成是不可預料的。他們試圖通過各種方式去控制這些未知的、令人恐懼的力量。
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.那些似乎帶來了滿意結果的手段就被保留下來並且重複，直到這些手段固化爲不變的宗教儀式。最終產生了那些能夠解釋或者掩蓋這些儀式神祕性的故事。
As time passed some rituals were abandoned, but the stories, later called myths, persisted and provided material for art and drama.隨着時間的推移，一些宗教儀式被廢棄了，但是這些後來被稱作神話的故事流傳下來並且爲藝術和戲劇提供了素材。
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.那些認爲戲劇從宗教儀式演化而來的人們還認爲那些儀式包含了戲劇的萌芽，因爲音樂、舞蹈、面具和服裝幾乎經常被用到。
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."而且，必須爲演出提供一個合適的地點；如果不是整個社區共同參加演出，經常在“演出區”和“觀衆席”之間劃分出明顯的.分界。
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.此外，儀式中還有演員，而且因爲在儀式的進行中避免錯誤的發生被認爲有相當大的重要性，宗教領袖通常承擔演出任務。
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.他們經常帶着面具，穿着服裝，來扮演其它人、動物或超自然的生靈，用動作來表現所需要的效果，比如打獵的成功或戰鬥的勝利、將至的雨水、太陽的甦醒。最終這些戲劇性的表現方式從宗教活動中分離了出來。
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.另一個追溯戲劇起源的理論認爲戲劇源自人們對敘述故事的興趣。 根據這個觀點，傳說(關於狩獵、戰爭或者其它功績)是逐漸豐富起來的。起先是通過一個講解人來運用模仿、表演和對話，然後再由不同的人扮演各自的角色。
A closely related theory traces theater to those dances that are primarily rhythmical and gymnastic or that are imitations of animal movements and sounds.另一個與之緊密相關的理論將戲劇的起源追溯至舞蹈，這些舞蹈主要是有節奏感的和體操式的那種，或者是對動物動作和聲音的模仿的那種。
