Final answer:
John McGann likely interprets the secrecy of ancient plays, such as those in Greek Mysteries, as a defining feature inherited from tribal initiation rites and secretive cultural practices that resonate with modern fascination with the mysterious.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to John McGann's perspective on the secrecy connected with ancient plays, notably those involving religious or mystical elements. Regarding the secrecy of the play, John McGann likely views it as a characteristic derived from ancient rites, such as tribal initiation ceremonies, where secrecy serves to distinguish them from other cultural practices.
This speculation is deduced from the context provided, as John McGann's precise views on this subject are not directly available in the reference material given.
The elements of secrecy in ancient rites and plays resonate with our modern fascination with the mysterious and the hidden. Such secretiveness is a recurrent aspect in ancient cultures and their ceremonies. The historical Greeks, for instance, had a stage in their Eleusinian Mysteries referred to as Epopteia or 'Viewing' which possibly implied a previous stage of 'Closing the eyes' or Myêsis.
According to John McGann, the secrecy of the play is a symbol of ancient rites of tribal initiation. These secret rites distinguished themselves from other rites around the world, as initiation ceremonies are typically highly secretive. The secrecy of the Mysteries, as interpreted by the historical Greeks, also contributed to their mysterious nature.