Medieval Drama

By: Danny, Pia,

Jordan & Jessie

The Medieval Period

• The medieval time of history spans a

period of more than 700 years, beginning

around the year 800. During this time,

there were key advances in society,

government and religion.

History of Medieval Theatre

• Little is known about theatre between 600-

1000 A.D.

• There are references to actors aka histriones,

jugglers, rope dances in nomadic tribes,

remnants of Roman mimes, popular pagan

festivals & rites.

• Teutonic minstrels or Troubadours (scops [

pronounced shope]) became the primary

preservers of tribal histories.

• But as they converted to Christianity after the

7th& 8 th century these people were ridiculed &

Theater is Reborn

• Between 925 & 975 drama is

reintroduced into church services.

• Theatre is reborn, the church couldn’t

stop pagan rites, so many aspects found

their way in to Christian services. For

example Christmas was moved to

December in the 4th century, in order to

compete with the Pagan rites of winter.

Easter replaced the Spring festivals.

Morality Plays

• Common people didn’t understand Latin, nor

read it. So, to ignite an interest in a faith losing

to paganism the church began incorporating

it’s liturgy into plays.

• The earliest example is a 4-line dramatization

of the resurrection of Christ, it was called, “

The Three Marys.

• This practiced then blossomed into many skits

dealing with biblical themes. However most

plays stayed in Latin till approx. 1200

The Church & Drama

• At first the church had control of drama even

outside of the church- they would give the

approval

• But secular groups like trade guilds took over.

They were called, “Confraternities”.

• It was common that certain guild would retain

control over certain play/stories, all of which were

based on the Bible or religious teachings.

• For example : The Bakers Guild would control the

play about the Last Supper,& Shipwrights would

get plays about Noah.

Authors

• Most authors of Medieval plays were

anonymous.

• Some important ones are:

• Hrosvitha- A Benedictine Nun

• John Bale- English Churchman

• Adam de la Halle – A French composer

Hrosvitha

• Hrosvitha- Was the first female playwright, and

she was a Nun from Gandersheim Germany.

She wrote in Latin, and is considered by some

to be the first person since antiquity to

compose drama in the West.

• The Panegyric of the Line of Otho; and six

plays intended to wean the scholars of those

days from the reading of Terence. These

dramas, collectively known as Comaedia

Sacrae VI, are the most remarkable part of her

productions

John Bale

• John Bale (21 November 1495 – November

1563) was an English churchman, historian and

controversialist, and Bishop of Ossory. He wrote

the oldest known historical verse drama in English

(on the subject of King John)

• This was a time of religious upheaval in England.

The Roman Catholics vs. the Protestants.

• John Bale denounced the monastic system and its

supporters in unrestrained language and coarse

imagery. The prayer of Infidelitas which opens the

second act of his Three Laws is an example of his

profane parody.

Adam de la Halle

• Born in Arras, France. Died in Naples, Italy.

He was a musician and poet in the court of

Count d'Artois. He is one of the few medieval

musicians to be credited with both

monophonic and polyphonic music. Adam de

la Halle is one of the earliest authors of French

secular theater. His Le Jeu de Robin et de

Marion, (Play of Robin and Marion) in 1285 led

to the birth of Opera Comique.

Medieval Stages

There were two main areas for performances to

take place:

• Mansions- These were small scenic structures

that indicated the location. The church usually

served as a mansion (the choir loft could of

served as Heaven; whereas the altar could of

been the tomb of Christ.

• Platea- This was a general acting area,

adjacent to the mansion. Eventually Dramas

were moved outdoors probably because of the

expanding needs of the plays.

Medieval Stages

More Stage Examples

Purpose of theatre

• A theatrical performance in the Middle Ages

was often a social, religious, and commercial

event affecting a whole community and

involving not only the spoken word, but also

spectacle, music, and even dance. Moreover,

drama was arguably the most pervasive of all

literary genres, since the illiteracy of the public

couldn’t be a barrier.

• It was a way to get the local news, or learn

religious morals, it also was a time and place

to have fun, & socialize.

Theater of the Middle Ages evolves

• The prohibition of religious plays by

Queen Elizabeth most prominently

marked the decline of the medieval

theatre, along with an increased interest

in classical learning that affected scripts

and staging.

• By the late 16th century, medieval theatre

gave way to the Elizabethan Era.

How it Reflects on Our Society

• Modern plays have outgrown the bindings of

the church and have come a long way from

being performed by guilds. Although now,

trained actors perform the same plays, the

audience has not changed much.

• The audience is still attracted to the drama

surrounding mystery, passion, and creation,

which will forever be dubbed as classics.

• Medieval plays have set a strong foundation

for today’s modern plays.

Why We Still do These Plays• Medieval plays are still preformed today, primarily as a

form of entertainment.

• These plays have become as popular as the bible,

given that they portray familiar biblical derived

content.

• Medieval plays captivate their audience by way of the

following engaging elements: Mystical, miracle, and

morality, which are sure to draw a crowd even today