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Medieval Drama

Medieval Drama. 1200-1500 AD. An Overview…. The World of the Medieval Period… A Brief Overview of Catholic Theology Medieval Drama: Mystery, Miracle, Morality Everyman. Journal Entry:. What gets you through a tough day? How can you put up with a world full of suffering & evil?.

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Medieval Drama

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  1. Medieval Drama 1200-1500 AD

  2. An Overview… • The World of the Medieval Period… • A Brief Overview of Catholic Theology • Medieval Drama: Mystery, Miracle, Morality • Everyman

  3. Journal Entry: • What gets you through a tough day? How can you put up with a world full of suffering & evil?

  4. The World of the Medieval Period • Feudalism • Lands divided into FEEFS • Landowners swear loyalty to the King • Divine Right of Kings • Castle Medieval Days and Knights

  5. The Catholic Church…

  6. The Catholic Church • Unifying Force • Tithe & in return… • Seven Sacraments, Sin, Virtue… • Clergy… The Canterbury Tales • Cathedrals* • Pilgrimage* • Art & Representation of Daily Life…

  7. Unifying Force… Tithe & In Return • Catholicism played a major role in the daily life of the Middle Ages… • The Culture of the Church was weaved throughout daily life. • The parish church served as the “hub” of day to day existence. • From the moment of its baptism a few days after birth, a child entered into a life of service to God and God's Church. As a child grew, it would be taught basic prayers, would go to church every week barring illness, and would learn of its responsibilities to the Church. Every person was required to live by the Church's laws and to pay heavy taxes to support the Church. In return for this, they were shown the way to everlasting life and happiness after lives that were often short and hard.

  8. Seven Sacraments & Sin • Baptism, Confession, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, & Extreme Unction • The Sacraments are divinely given to provide grace for the people • Sin is an act that violates a moral rule or the state of having committed such a violation.

  9. Virtue and Vice…

  10. The Clergy

  11. Middle Ages Art...

  12. Modern Representations…

  13. Medieval Drama… • Latin Mass • 3 Types of Plays: • Mystery • Miracle • Morality

  14. Mystery Plays • Subject matter focuses on the spiritual mystery of Christ’s redemption of mankind • Dramatization of Biblical Incidents • Foretell and recount redemption by mankind through Christ • Composed in Cycles (As Many as 48), they try to tell the whole story of the Bible. • O.T.- Fall of Lucifer, Creation & Fall of Man, Story of Cain and Abel, Noah & the Flood, Abraham Sacrificing Isaac • N.T.- Nativity, Raising of Lazarus, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Last Judgement • All linked together by elaborate parallels • Appeared 12th Century up until the reformation, WHY?

  15. Mystery Plays • Who performs them? • Roots in Latin • Moved outside Church door • Responsibility Turned over to the “Guilds” • Guilds= Trade Union/Social Clubs • Carpenters usually performed Noah and the Flood • POST Clergy: • Performed in Vernacular • Included Comedy and Violence • Costumes, Props • INTERESTING FACT: Another name for a “guild” was “mystery” because they guarded the secret of their craft.

  16. Staging… • SEE HANDOUT • Central Platform • Wagons… “Pageants” • Neutral Stage… “Platea” • Doorways at the back of the Pageant… “Mansions” • Walking out of specific mansion onto neutral stage, makes the neutral stage the specific mansion.

  17. Miracle Plays • Are very closely related to the Mystery Plays, as you cannot explain a miracle, however… • Miracle plays present an event or legend from some source other than the Bible. (i.e. Tradition)

  18. Morality Plays • Purpose: • Make Christianity more real to the audience by dramatizing the meaning of religion in terms of everyday human experience • Abstract moral conflict, turned into drama in the real world. • Good versus evil… “Psychomachia” • A constant battle going on in the soul of every person • The setting of a morality play is usually the soul, and the actors are personified versions of qualities in everyman. • The Soul is turned inside out.

  19. Morality Plays… • Allegorical Characters: • Not real people • They are abstract qualities • Indicated by character’s name • Main character represents all of humanity • Supernatural Beings: • God, Angels, Devil • Powers outside of the soul, but interested in the outcome • Vice: • Leader of the forces of evil • Tendency towards Sin • Tries to get the main character into trouble • Sharp sense of humor- attractive to the audience, very charming • Climax is when he is overthrown

  20. Everyman… • Possibly the last section of a larger play… • Doesn’t include a beginning, where man is innocent & about to fall into sin • Dark tone, not much satire • Written before the end of the 15th century

  21. God: Messenger: Death: Everyman: Fellowship: Kindred: Cousin: Angel: Goods: Good Deeds: Knowledge: Confession: Beauty: Strength: Discretion: Five Wits: Doctor: Dramatis Personae

  22. Adversity Benign Clamorous Conceit Consecrate Contrition Discretion Forbear Forsake Lechery Loathe Respite Reverence Solace Summon Tarrying Tempests Terrestrial Virtuous Woe Vocabulary

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