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. In the beginning, human beings viewed the natural fo
rces of the world as unpredictable, and they sought through various means
to control these unknown powers. Those measures which appeared to bring the
desired results were then retained and repeated until they hardened into f
ixed rituals. Eventually stories arose which explained or veiled the mysteri
es of the rites.
Those who believe that drama evolved out of ritual also argue that those ri
tes 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 div
ision was usually made between the "acting area" and the "auditorium." In ad
dition, there were performers, and, since considerable importance was attach
ed 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.
Another theory traces the theater's origin from the human intererst in story
telling. According to this view tales 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 souds.