Medieval Theatre
English Literature 1
2023-2024
Drama in the Middle Ages
The rise of the Christian Church was the
civilizing force of the early Middle Ages.
The Dark Ages (400-900AD)—theatre was
almost nonexistent but was kept alive by
wandering actors.
From 900-1000AD most of Western Europe
was divided into Feudal States ruled by
powerful lords.
Drama in the Middle Ages
Drama in the Middle Ages
Medieval Drama
Medieval Drama
Early Medieval Drama
Liturgical Drama
The language of the liturgical drama was
Latin,
so, a lot of people were not able to
understand the language
the story was communicated through
acting using gestures.
Liturgical Drama
Tropes
Trope – a small theatrical embellishment
added to the silent part of mass
these are used to “explain” the Latin text
that the parishioners would not have been
able to understand
tropes are performed inside the church, at
the altar, by the monks
Tropes
As the tropes gain in popularity, performances
move from the altar to mansion stages throughout
the church.
Stories are presented in pieces with dialogue,
costumes, etc.
Monks, choir & other church officials play the
parts
Audience moves from stage to stage, as the
stories are presented sequentially
Corpus Christi Plays
Liturgical Drama
Angels: Whom seek
ye in the tomb, O
Christians?
Maries: Jesus of
Nazareth, the
Crucified, Heavenly
Beings
Angels: He is not
here; he is risen as he
foretold.
Angels: Go and
announce that he is
risen from the tomb.
The “Quem Quaeritis”
Whom are you seeking…?
Angel: “Whom are you seeking in the
sepulchre, O Christians?”
Marys: “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Angel: “He is not here. He rose as he
predicted. Go, announce that He has arisen
from the dead.”
Everyone: “Alleluia. The Lord has risen.”
Angel: “Come and see the place.”
Church plays
Religious Vernacular Drama
Vernacular: language spoken by the people
To reach the commoners, the clergy began
to translate the liturgical plays into
vernacular languages
Plays were set outdoors where space
permitted
As more roles were added, commoners
were used as amateur actors
The 3 M’s of Religious
Vernacular Drama
Mystery plays: Biblical stories
Miracle plays: saints’ lives
Morality plays: allegories
Three forms of church drama
Miracle plays—about the life of saints
Morality plays—Characters represent
things such as “Fellowship” and “Death.”
The best-known morality play is Everyman.
Mystery plays—Usually a cycle play such
as those of York or Chester.
Mystery Plays
Mystery Plays
Mystery Plays performed by
Trade Guilds
Dramatic Techniques
The Miracle Play
The Miracle Play
Medieval performance spaces
Pageant Wagons as Stages
The Main Points
Morality Plays
Morality Plays
Morality Plays
Morality Plays
Morality Plays
Characteristics
Major Themes
Cycle Plays
Interludes and Farces
Folk Drama – secular drama
(non-religious)
Folk Plays
The Staging of Liturgical Dramas
Wagons and Mansions
Secrets
Medieval Costumes
If associated with
Heaven, the masks
were gilded.
Devils were made to
look like birds of prey,
monsters with animal
heads or creatures
with scales, tails,
horns, or claws.
Types of Medieval Drama
Performances by itinerant entertainers
Liturgical tropes: gospel dramatizations
Mystery plays: Biblical plays
Miracle plays: saints’ lives
Morality plays: allegories
Interludes and farces: secular plays
Folk plays: pagan and folklore elements
Medieval Drama
Folk drama = plays performed by wandering
troupes of actors
Liturgical drama = plays put on by the Roman
Catholic church
Mystery Plays = derived from holy scripture
Passion plays = focused on the crucifixion of Christ
Miracle plays = dramatized the lives of the saints
Morality plays = dramatized sermons with
allegorical characters
The Decline of Medieval Theatre:
The Decline of Medieval
Theatre:
