The Origin of Theatre Essay Example for Free

The Origin of Theatre Essay â€Å"It is unlikely that anyone will ever know just how theatre emerged† (Grose Kenworthy, 1985: 3). Though there is little certain evidence, strong indications, scattered throughout our history, point to theatre finding its origins in the ancient rituals of shamanism. One might argue that theatre finds its origins quite clearly in ancient Greek theatre seeing as they have many written and still surviving plays and strong standing theatres, but George Freedley (1941) would argue otherwise. The oldest records of plays, stage directions and possibly even scripts are found not in ancient Greece but in Egypt, and they date back till as early as 4000 B. C. in examples of drama such as the Pyramid Texts (Freedley, 1941: 2). We can even directly link Egyptian and Greek performance by noting that a historian of the theatre, Herodotus, recorded â€Å"the religious festivals and the origin of the worship of Dionysos(sic) which was later to be transferred to the dramatic festivals in Greece† (Freedley, 1941: 1). This suggests that theatre as we know it actually finds its roots in ancient Egyptian festivals and dramas preformed in celebration of the gods. A common element seen in both Egyptian and Greek culture, be it on stage or not, is the ritualistic nature of their performances. This fact suggests that the origin of their version of performance and theatre is found in ritual and its significant role in society. â€Å" the earliest information about the presence of such drama comes from the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, most notably Egypt† (Grose Kenworthy, 1985: 6). As the quote suggests, ritual as a means of drama is found all over the world, but clearly not in the same form as ancient Greek and Egyptian theatre. Therefore, one must look for other examples of ritualistic practises and performance in the world that predate even these ancient cultures. Left is but one known possible source from which theatre may have evolved; shamanism. To add, there are many similarities between recorded and modern theatre, and shamanistic ritual and the belief itself. Firstly, the definition of  Shamanism is: Shamanism can be defined as a family of traditions whose practitioners focus on voluntarily entering altered states of consciousness in which they experience themselves or their spirit(s), travelling to other realms at will, and interacting with other entities in order to serve their community (Walsh, 1990: 15). Further more, it is also important to note that shamanism is not a religion which adheres to specific rules of practise, it is rather a method used to interact with the spirit world (Harner, cited in Walsh, 1982: 12). For this reason we can at least theorise that shamanism and its traits, however few in common, may be the inspiration for later religious and/or non-religious beliefs and customs involving forms of theatre and performance. Greek theatre for example shares many similar traits with shamanism as seen in the following quote: In all three types of drama, tragedy, satyr plays and comedy, the actors were heavily disguised, much more than in the modern theatre. This was due not only to the fact that the female roles were played by men, but ultimately had its roots in religion. A complete disguise was the external sign that the actor had given up his own identity in honour of the god, in order to let another being speak and act through him. Dionysus, for whom the dramas were preformed, was the god of ecstasy. The word á ¼â€ÃŽ ºÃÆ'Ï„Î ±ÃÆ'ÃŽ ¹Ãâ€š means ‘standing outside oneself’; in other words the renunciation of individuality. An important medium for this in all three drama types was the mask. Simon, 1972: 10) When compared to shamanism we see that, as in ancient Greek theatre, the use of attire other than the common dress of the shaman was thought to be essential in the rituals they preformed. Whether the ritualistic costume is extreme clothing or even ritualistic nudity (as in the case of the Eskimo shamans), the important point is that whilst a shaman is wearing his everyday clothing, the experience will not take p lace (Eliade, 1964: 146). We also see that the trance-like state achieved allows for the shaman/performer to channel spirits so that they may communicate and act through him, however this does not necessarily mean that the subject is ‘possessed’. Although shamans are thought to be capable of allowing and inducing the possession of their bodies by spirits, their dealings with spirits primarily involve them ‘wielding’ the spirits with which they are dealing (Eliade, 1964: 15). Lastly, the ancient Greek dramas were performed in honour of the god Dionysus, the god of ecstasy. This is important to note as shamanistic practises are defined by the ecstatic experience a shaman induces as he engages in a trance through which his soul ‘journeys’ and leaves his body so that he may communicate with the spirits (Eliade, 1964: 15). In relation to modern theatre, shamans are known to have undergone not dissimilar training from modern day actors and performers in order to acquire many of the same abilities which are commonly used in theatrical performance. In order to induce the altered state desired shamans have been known to use techniques such as singing, dancing, and drumming (Walsh, 1990: 142). Shamans have even been described as â€Å"singers, magicians, actors and ventriloquists† (Thurn, cited in Narby Huxley, 2001: 43). Though the training a shaman endures is much more demanding and can even be physically damaging, such as when using techniques like self-induced vomiting, feigning nervous fits, and fainting (Levi-Strauss, cited in Walsh, 1972: 102-103), there is still a clear similarity in the level of discipline required of shamans and modern day performers to master their craft. The act of transformation, the ritualistic dress, the rigorous training, and the natural skill required to become a shaman are all traits which we today link to theatre and what is required of its performers, providing a strong indication that shamanism is indeed where it all started. Trying to search further back than this leaves one with little more to work with than what one might all ‘educated guesses’ as to what may have sparked its creation. A popular theory is that theatrical actions were the means by which we communicated before language had sufficiently developed as to convey detailed messages to one-another. As language became a human tool, early nomadic societies were still concerned with the needs of survival. Theatrical elements entered into the conveying of these needs among members of the group itself (Grose Kenworthy, 1985: 4). This theory can of course not be tested or proven, but nor can it be isproven, and therefore it holds weight relative to the view point of the researcher. The origins of theatre are hard to trace, as the pieces evidence to suggest where it truly came from are few and far between. However, based on accounts which have survived through history such as those mentioned above, and the clear similarities between Shamanism, shamanistic ritual and the theatre throughout history, it becomes clear that Shamanism is the most likely origin of theatre as we know it today.

Pediatrics: Cranial Nerve Examination Essay -- Pediatric Examination

Oculomotor (III), trochlear (IV), Abducens (VI) cranial nerves Although each of these nerves control separate extraocular muscles, they are normally examined together due to their close functional interrelationships. †¢ Look Similar to other cranial nerve examination, start with inspection of the eyes. Look at - The position of the head position: If diplopia is present, the head turned or tilted to minimize double vision. - Inspect for ptosis and eye position. - Ask the child to look at an object about five feet away. Examine the pupils for size, shape, and symmetry. Oculomotor nerve palsy causes mydriasis. Sympathetic palsy leads to miosis. Ciliary ganglion malfunction within the orbit produces Adie’s pupil with middilated pupils and poor responds to convergence. †¢ Ocular alignment The eyes are normally parallel in all positions of gaze except convergence. Squints can be either paralytic (paresis of one of the extraocular muscles) or non-paralytic (defective binocular vision). Congenital paralytic squints result in abnormal head postures, while the acquired ones cause diplopia. Non-paralytic (concomitant) squints are not associated with diplopia. - Looking at light: Sit in front of the child about 1 metre away. Shine a light source and ask the child to look at the light. Observe the position of the light reflexes on the cornea. Normally, the light reflex is symmetrical and slightly nasal to the centre of each pupil. - Cover test is a good test of eye alignment and is helpful to determine the presence of both manifest and latent strabismus o Unilateral cover test: Ask the child to concentrate on an object that is ten feet away as if â€Å"their eyes are glued to the object†. For testing of the right eye, cover the child... ...mpare the nasolabial grooves, which are smooth on the weak side) - Bell's phenomenon: Ask the child close the eyes. In lower motor neuron VII nerve palsy, the upward movement of the eyeball is seen due to incomplete closure of the eyelid. †¢ Taste Sensation - Examine for taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, only in those with facial palsy. - Ask the child to protrude the tongue and not to speak during the test. - Apply a small sample of sugar, vinegar, salt and quinine solutions (sweet, sour, saline and bitter) with cotton buds to one side of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue one at a time. - Ask the child to point to the taste on a pre-prepared card to point out the response. - Rinse the mouth with water between each specimen. - Between each test ask the patient to rinse his mouth with water. - Repeat test on the other side of the tongue

European Settlement in Latin America Essay

Between 1450 and 1750 C. E. , Europeans entered Latin America and created new political structures, increased trade, and brought their religion. This happened because the Spanish conquered the Aztecs and Incas, while Portugal took over what is now Brazil. Hernando Cortes conquered the Aztecs while Francisco Pizzarro conquered the Incas. The Aztecs and Incas were two great Native American civilizations. In Latin America, slavery remained unchanged. These areas that the Spanish and Portuguese conquered later developed into their own self-governing states. In 1494, the Treaty of Todesillas split the New World in two when Pope Alexander VI drew the Line of Demarcation. Spain received the majority of the land while Portugal received modern day Brazil. While Spain constructed a massive military, Portugal established many settlements on the east coast. In 1519, Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztecs by killing Montezuma, the Aztec emperor. In 1532, Francisco Pizzaro conquered the Incas by killing Atahualpa, the Inca emperor. The Incas had such highly centralized government that they could not run without an empire. Because of guns, germs, and steel, Spanish conquistadors were able to conquer the Aztec and Inca empires. The Spanish also had an advantage in military technology, having steel swords, iron mail, and horses. Without domesticated animals, such as pigs and cows, the Aztecs and Incas had now immunity to European diseases such as smallpox, typhus, and influenza, which killed almost 95% of the indigenous population of Latin America. In 1549, the first Jesuit missionaries arrived in Brazil to spread Catholicism. In the late 1500’s, there were no longer Native American slaves because of the large decrease in their population due to European diseases. Some Native American tribes forced there slaves to undergo human sacrifice, such as the Aztecs. There were now Black African slaves. While this was happening, the Portuguese switched from establishing trading posts to building an extensive colonization. 240,000 Europeans entered Latin America in the 16th century. They imported millions of slaves to run their plantations. The Portuguese and Spanish royal governments expected to rule these settlements; collect 20% of all the treasure found, and tax as much as they could get away with. Silver soon became 20% of Spain’s total budget. During the end of the colonial period, it was very common for the Native Americans to intermix with the Europeans. The offspring were called â€Å"Mestizos†, which are people of mixed ancestry. They formed majorities in many colonies. In the late 16th century, Peru participated in the Manila Galleon Trade. This was a trade where China gave Mexico porcelain, silk, ivory, spices and myriad other exotic goods in exchange for New World silver. Potosi, Peru became the fifth most populated city in the world by 1620 because of silver production. However, in the mid-17th century, silver production declined, but the decimated indigenous population in the central Andean region progressively begins to stabilize and free-wage labor replaces required labor in the mining regions. The most significant continuity for the European settlement in Latin America was slavery. Slavery did however change from Native American slaves to Black African slaves, but the concept of slavery remained the same. The key changes were new political structures, increased trade, and Europeans brought over their religion. The Spanish and Portuguese royal governments conquered Latin America.

The Case Of Henry And Oni - 765 Words

The case study that will be discussed will be Henry and Oni. Henry is a 38 year old born a French-Canadian but primary raised in the United States. Oni is a 48 year old was born and raised in the United States but part Nigeria and African American. This is the first marriage of Henry but second for Oni. No first marriage only last two years because of her ex-husband cheating. The couple is madly in love with each other but worry about the recent fighting and sexual tension. Oni does not want to have sex with her husband because she has recently caught him watching pornography. Henry started watching pornography as a release of sexual starvation. Oni confused that she felt violated when Henry tried to have sex with her during her sleep. She describes feeling like one of those woman he watches in his videos. The purpose of choosing this particular case study was because there was a connection of relating to Oni feelings. Initially, the assumption was made that Oni is feeling that her faith and trust in their marriage has been broken because of Henry’s activities because of her prior experience with her ex-husband cheating. Furthermore, the connection of Henry feeling sexual starved is understandable considering his needs are not being met. Clinical Theory The clinical theory chosen for this clinical evaluation is Solution Focused Based Theory (SFBT). SFBT would be an appropriate theoretical approach to take with this couple to formulate solutions andShow MoreRelatedThe North And The South1257 Words   |  6 Pagesseceded because Lincoln was elected (Puzan). The South would not follow a President who was opposed to slavery (Puzan). This division of the country was the first step of the Civil War. The North and the South did not try to reunite with one another. 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