Medieval DramaMedieval Drama1200-1500 AD1200-1500 AD

An Overview…An Overview…

The World of the Medieval Period…The World of the Medieval Period… A Brief Overview of Catholic TheologyA Brief Overview of Catholic Theology Medieval Drama: Mystery, Miracle, Medieval Drama: Mystery, Miracle,

MoralityMorality EverymanEveryman

Journal Entry:Journal Entry:

What gets you through a tough day? How What gets you through a tough day? How can you put up with a world full of suffering can you put up with a world full of suffering & evil?& evil?

The World of the Medieval PeriodThe World of the Medieval Period FeudalismFeudalism

Lands divided into FEEFS Lands divided into FEEFS Landowners swear loyalty to the KingLandowners swear loyalty to the King Divine Right of KingsDivine Right of Kings CastleCastle Medieval Days and Knights Medieval Days and Knights

The Catholic Church…The Catholic Church…

The Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church

Unifying ForceUnifying Force Tithe & in return…Tithe & in return… Seven Sacraments, Sin, Virtue…Seven Sacraments, Sin, Virtue… Clergy… Clergy… The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales Cathedrals*Cathedrals* Pilgrimage*Pilgrimage* Art & Representation of Daily Life…Art & Representation of Daily Life…

Unifying Force… Tithe & In ReturnUnifying Force… Tithe & In Return

Catholicism played a major role in the daily life of the Catholicism played a major role in the daily life of the Middle Ages…Middle Ages…

The Culture of the Church was weaved throughout daily The Culture of the Church was weaved throughout daily life.life.

The parish church served as the “hub” of day to day The parish church served as the “hub” of day to day existence.existence.

From the moment of its baptism a few days after birth, a From the moment of its baptism a few days after birth, a child entered into a life of service to God and God's child entered into a life of service to God and God's Church. As a child grew, it would be taught basic Church. As a child grew, it would be taught basic prayers, would go to church every week barring illness, prayers, would go to church every week barring illness, and would learn of its responsibilities to the Church. and would learn of its responsibilities to the Church. Every person was required to live by the Church's laws Every person was required to live by the Church's laws and to pay heavy taxes to support the Church. In return and to pay heavy taxes to support the Church. In return for this, they were shown the way to everlasting life and for this, they were shown the way to everlasting life and happiness after lives that were often short and hard. happiness after lives that were often short and hard.

Seven Sacraments & Seven Sacraments & SinSin

Baptism, Confession, Holy Baptism, Confession, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, & Matrimony, Holy Orders, & Extreme UnctionExtreme Unction

The Sacraments are divinely The Sacraments are divinely given to provide grace for the given to provide grace for the peoplepeople

Sin is an act that violates a Sin is an act that violates a moral rule or the state of having moral rule or the state of having committed such a violation.committed such a violation.

Virtue and Vice…Virtue and Vice…

7 Deadly Sins7 Deadly Sins 7 Redeeming 7 Redeeming VirtuesVirtues

PridePride PrudencePrudence

EnvyEnvy JusticeJustice

GluttonyGluttony TemperanceTemperance

SlothSloth FortitudeFortitude

LustLust FaithFaith

AvariceAvarice HopeHope

WrathWrath CharityCharity

The ClergyThe Clergy

PopePope

Bishops- Cardinal, Bishops- Cardinal, Archbishops, BishopsArchbishops, Bishops

PriestsPriests

DeaconsDeacons

Religious- Monks, Friars, Religious- Monks, Friars, NunsNuns

LaityLaity

Middle Ages Art...Middle Ages Art...

Modern Representations…Modern Representations…

Medieval Drama…Medieval Drama…

Latin MassLatin Mass 3 Types of Plays:3 Types of Plays:

MysteryMystery MiracleMiracle MoralityMorality

Mystery PlaysMystery Plays

Subject matter focuses on the spiritual mystery of Christ’s Subject matter focuses on the spiritual mystery of Christ’s redemption of mankindredemption of mankind

Dramatization of Biblical Incidents Dramatization of Biblical Incidents Foretell and recount redemption by mankind through ChristForetell and recount redemption by mankind through Christ Composed in Cycles (As Many as 48), they try to tell the whole story Composed in Cycles (As Many as 48), they try to tell the whole story

of the Bible.of the Bible. O.T.- Fall of Lucifer, Creation & Fall of Man, Story of Cain and Abel, O.T.- Fall of Lucifer, Creation & Fall of Man, Story of Cain and Abel,

Noah & the Flood, Abraham Sacrificing IsaacNoah & the Flood, Abraham Sacrificing Isaac N.T.- Nativity, Raising of Lazarus, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Last N.T.- Nativity, Raising of Lazarus, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Last

JudgementJudgement All linked together by elaborate parallelsAll linked together by elaborate parallels Appeared 12Appeared 12thth Century up until the reformation, WHY? Century up until the reformation, WHY?

Mystery PlaysMystery Plays Who performs them?Who performs them?

Roots in LatinRoots in Latin Moved outside Church doorMoved outside Church door Responsibility Turned over to the “Guilds”Responsibility Turned over to the “Guilds”

• Guilds= Trade Union/Social ClubsGuilds= Trade Union/Social Clubs• Carpenters usually performed Noah and the FloodCarpenters usually performed Noah and the Flood

POST Clergy:POST Clergy:• Performed in VernacularPerformed in Vernacular• Included Comedy and ViolenceIncluded Comedy and Violence• Costumes, PropsCostumes, Props

INTERESTING FACT: Another name for a “guild” INTERESTING FACT: Another name for a “guild” was “mystery” because they guarded the secret of was “mystery” because they guarded the secret of their craft.their craft.

Staging…Staging…

SEE HANDOUTSEE HANDOUT Central PlatformCentral Platform Wagons… “Pageants”Wagons… “Pageants” Neutral Stage… “Platea”Neutral Stage… “Platea” Doorways at the back of the Pageant… Doorways at the back of the Pageant…

“Mansions”“Mansions” Walking out of specific mansion onto neutral Walking out of specific mansion onto neutral

stage, makes the neutral stage the specific stage, makes the neutral stage the specific mansion.mansion.

Miracle PlaysMiracle Plays

Are very closely related to the Mystery Are very closely related to the Mystery Plays, as you cannot explain a miracle, Plays, as you cannot explain a miracle, however… however…

Miracle plays present an event or legend Miracle plays present an event or legend from some source other than the Bible. from some source other than the Bible. (i.e. Tradition)(i.e. Tradition)

Morality PlaysMorality Plays

Purpose:Purpose: Make Christianity more real to the audience by Make Christianity more real to the audience by

dramatizing the meaning of religion in terms of dramatizing the meaning of religion in terms of everyday human experienceeveryday human experience

Abstract moral conflict, turned into drama in the real Abstract moral conflict, turned into drama in the real world.world.

• Good versus evil… “Psychomachia”Good versus evil… “Psychomachia”• A constant battle going on in the soul of every personA constant battle going on in the soul of every person

The setting of a morality play is usually the soul, and The setting of a morality play is usually the soul, and the actors are personified versions of qualities in the actors are personified versions of qualities in everyman.everyman.

The Soul is turned inside out.The Soul is turned inside out.

Morality Plays…Morality Plays… Allegorical Characters: Allegorical Characters:

Not real peopleNot real people They are abstract qualitiesThey are abstract qualities Indicated by character’s nameIndicated by character’s name Main character represents all of humanityMain character represents all of humanity

Supernatural Beings:Supernatural Beings: God, Angels, DevilGod, Angels, Devil Powers outside of the soul, but interested in the outcomePowers outside of the soul, but interested in the outcome

Vice:Vice: Leader of the forces of evilLeader of the forces of evil Tendency towards SinTendency towards Sin Tries to get the main character into troubleTries to get the main character into trouble Sharp sense of humor- attractive to the audience, very charmingSharp sense of humor- attractive to the audience, very charming Climax is when he is overthrownClimax is when he is overthrown

Everyman…Everyman…

Possibly the last section of a larger play…Possibly the last section of a larger play… Doesn’t include a beginning, where man is Doesn’t include a beginning, where man is

innocent & about to fall into sininnocent & about to fall into sin Dark tone, not much satireDark tone, not much satire Written before the end of the 15Written before the end of the 15thth century century

Dramatis PersonaeDramatis Personae

God:God: Messenger:Messenger: Death:Death: Everyman:Everyman: Fellowship:Fellowship: Kindred:Kindred: Cousin:Cousin: Angel:Angel:

Goods:Goods: Good Deeds:Good Deeds: Knowledge:Knowledge: Confession:Confession: Beauty:Beauty: Strength:Strength: Discretion:Discretion: Five Wits:Five Wits: Doctor:Doctor:

VocabularyVocabulary

AdversityAdversity BenignBenign ClamorousClamorous ConceitConceit ConsecrateConsecrate ContritionContrition DiscretionDiscretion ForbearForbear ForsakeForsake LecheryLechery

LoatheLoathe RespiteRespite ReverenceReverence SolaceSolace SummonSummon TarryingTarrying TempestsTempests TerrestrialTerrestrial VirtuousVirtuous WoeWoe