Medieval TheatreMedieval Theatre
400 CE - 1500 CE400 CE - 1500 CE
QuizQuiz3 M’s of Medieval Theatre
Allegorical Characters?
Two methods of Staging
Who was in charge?
3 M’s of Medieval Theatre
Allegorical Characters?
Two methods of Staging
Who was in charge?
Christianity spreads!Christianity spreads!
Christians (Catholics) attempt to make their religion larger.
Put a stop to roman(all) play festivals (Why?)
Records of traveling performers, jugglers, mimes, etc. (think circus not theatre)
The Church Leverages Theatre
The Church Leverages Theatre
How do you make mass more interesting?
Liturgical Drama
Quem QuaeritisQuem QuaeritisQuem quaeritis in sepulchro, o Quem quaeritis in sepulchro, o
Christicolae? Christicolae? Jesum Nazarenum crucifixum, o Jesum Nazarenum crucifixum, o
caelicolae. caelicolae. Non est hic; surrexit, sicut Non est hic; surrexit, sicut
praedixerat. Ite, nuntiate quia praedixerat. Ite, nuntiate quia surrexit de sepulchro surrexit de sepulchro
Translation:Translation:The Angels: Whom do ye seek in the The Angels: Whom do ye seek in the
sepulcher, O followers of Christ? sepulcher, O followers of Christ? The Marys: Jesus of Nazareth, the The Marys: Jesus of Nazareth, the
Crucified, O heavenly ones. Crucified, O heavenly ones. The Angels: He is not here; he is risen, just The Angels: He is not here; he is risen, just
as he foretold. Go, announce that he is as he foretold. Go, announce that he is risen from the sepulcher. risen from the sepulcher.
——John Glassner, editor, Medieval and John Glassner, editor, Medieval and Tudor Drama. Tudor Drama.
Added to Easter Mass in 925 CE
Liturgical DramaLiturgical Drama
Performed by Clergy
Dramatized Biblical stories for largely illiterate people.
Think Christmas pageant only boring.
HrosvithaHrosvithaGerman Nun
Translated works of ________ playwright Terrence.
Closet Dramas
First Female playwright ever!
Staging of Liturgical Drama
Staging of Liturgical Drama
Mansions
Vernacular DramaVernacular Drama
Vernacular - In the language of the people.
Church begins to loosen up on theatre...as long as it is good for God.
3 M’s of Medieval Theatre
Miracle PlaysMiracle Plays
Written about the lives and or miracles of the Saints.
A lot about St. Nicholas and Mary, mother of Jesus
Mystery PlaysMystery PlaysDramatizations of Bible stories
Passion Plays
Morality PlaysMorality PlaysMeant to teach a moral
Used Allegorical Characters
Everyman is most popular
Pageant WagonsPageant WagonsVernacular Drama was performed in the streets on pageant wagons
QuizQuiz3 M’s of Medieval Theatre
Allegorical Characters?
Two methods of Staging
Who was in charge?
3 M’s of Medieval Theatre
Allegorical Characters?
Two methods of Staging
Who was in charge?
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