单选题 Which of the following best describes the relationship of the first paragraph of the passage to the passage as a whole?

• (A) It provides a group of specific examples from which generalizations concerning the nature of drama are drawn later in the passage.
• (B) It explains principles concerning one aspect of tragedy, which are followed later by principles for other aspects.
• (C) It defines terms of dramatic principles that are more thoroughly explained later in the passage.
• (D) It briefly compares and contrasts the principles of drama that are examined in detail later in the passage.
• (E) It explains a method of judging a work of drama, a method that is used later in the passage.