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?