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Old English DramaOld English Drama
The Beginnings of Drama in The Beginnings of Drama in EnglandEngland
Around 900 A.D. – Catholic Church Around 900 A.D. – Catholic Church losing interest of common people losing interest of common people because services held in Latinbecause services held in Latin
Church took action by adding Church took action by adding sculptures, paintings, images, sculptures, paintings, images, frescoes, crucifixes, pictured frescoes, crucifixes, pictured windows, and enactmentswindows, and enactments
Earliest PlaysEarliest Plays
Based on the liturgy of the churchBased on the liturgy of the churchUsed costumes, pageantry, music, Used costumes, pageantry, music,
etc.etc.Used especially during the Holy Used especially during the Holy
WeekWeekPriest would intone and play the part Priest would intone and play the part
of Christ as he is brought for of Christ as he is brought for execution execution
Plays became more complexPlays became more complexHad to be moved outsideHad to be moved outsidePlays had to be held on Corpus Plays had to be held on Corpus
Christi day (bad weather)Christi day (bad weather)These plays helped establish a These plays helped establish a
national literature (performed in national literature (performed in English)English)
After 1066 – The Norman After 1066 – The Norman ConquestConquest
Began presenting enactments of Began presenting enactments of Bible stories, i.e., Cain and Abel, the Bible stories, i.e., Cain and Abel, the fall of man, Noah and the Flood, fall of man, Noah and the Flood, David and GoliathDavid and Goliath
Biblical “dramas”Biblical “dramas”
Miracle and Mystery PlaysMiracle and Mystery Plays About miracles performed by the saintsAbout miracles performed by the saints About saints’ lives and the central events About saints’ lives and the central events
of their livesof their lives Not put on by the churchNot put on by the church Guilds had their own wagon; put on plays –Guilds had their own wagon; put on plays –
kind of like a paradekind of like a parade Bakers’ Guild – might do story of Five Bakers’ Guild – might do story of Five
Loaves and Two FishesLoaves and Two Fishes Guilds took great pride in their Guilds took great pride in their
presentationspresentations Primary goal becomes entertainment, but Primary goal becomes entertainment, but
still Biblical subjectsstill Biblical subjects
Morality PlaysMorality Plays
About moral dilemmasAbout moral dilemmasNo connection with liturgical serviceNo connection with liturgical serviceAbout abstract ideas – Faith, Hope, About abstract ideas – Faith, Hope,
Death, Greed, etc.Death, Greed, etc.Abstract ideas personifiedAbstract ideas personifiedPlays were allegoricalPlays were allegorical