1. The Origins of Theatre (The Theory of Ritual Origin)
In the late 1800’s/early 1900’s, anthropologists formed a theory that theatre evolved from myth and ritual.
The Theory of Ritual Origin:
1) In early stages of development, society becomes aware of forces that affect its food & well-being.
2) Due to limited understanding of such forces, society links good and bad situations with supernatural or magical forces.
3) In trying to win favor with said forces, society links actions with certain results, and so refines and formalizes ceremonies and rituals.
4) Stories and myths which explain, disguise, or idealize might grow up around a ritual.
5) As society progresses, stories and understandings change.
6) Some rituals/ceremonies may be abandoned, but myths remain, and become acted out or performed on their own. This results in the first step toward theatre.
Performers in ceremonies and rituals may wear costumes and masks to represent mythical characters or supernatural forces. Image credit: 1

2. The Origins of Theatre (The Theory of Ritual Origin)
This theory is based on “cultural Darwinism.”
The belief that society and culture “evolve” following the same rules of Darwin’s theory of biological evolution.
It assumes that societies which developed theatre were superior to those in which art was not separated from ritual.
Inherently, it assumed that European culture was the model for all other world cultures
It assumes that primitive or less- advanced societies serve as valid proof of how European culture developed.
Countries such as England, Italy, and France were considered culturally superior in “cultural Darwinism.”
Image: european-capital-of-culture-cities-1985-to-2013/ 2

3. The Origins of Theatre (The Theory of Ritual Origin)
After WWII, doubts grew about the superiority of a technologically-based society.
Primitive, less “advanced” societies came to be seen as embodying alternative social models.
Myth and ritual came to be seen as tools (similar to language) through which a group discovers, teaches, and reaffirms its values, expectations, and societal relationship.
Patterns comparable to those in primitive societies are also still evident in advanced societies (including our own), especially in secular rituals.
All societies came to be seen as developing sets of conventions (or rituals) which enact relationships and serve as unconscious guidelines for behavior.
Cultures are no longer considered greater than or less than each other. Some things – like art (and theatre!) are simply human, even if they take different forms.
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4. The Origins of Theatre (The Theory of Ritual Origin)
Each society develops numerous conventions that my be viewed as rituals that define social relationships.
Society seeks validation of these conventions through religion, morality, law, or social utility.
Theatre is no longer viewed as having evolved out of ritual.
Ritual and theatre are now seen as different ways of organizing and using elements that are basic in almost all human activity.
Ritual and theatre are viewed as coexisting modes in which the same elements might be used for different functions within the same society.
Theatre, ritual, or both?
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5. The Origins of Theatre (The Theory of Ritual Origin)
Modern examples of rituals:
Wedding ceremonies (religious and secular)
Criminal trials
Birthday celebrations
___________ (create your own example)
Wedding ceremonies are a modern ritual that has existed for centuries. 5