sample essays of IELTS

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
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.