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3 types3 types

Miracle playsMiracle playsMystery playsMystery playsMorality playsMorality plays

Miracle playsMiracle plays

““A miracle play presents a real or A miracle play presents a real or fictitious account of the life, miracles, or fictitious account of the life, miracles, or martyrdom of a saint. By 1200’s, they martyrdom of a saint. By 1200’s, they had been divorced from church services had been divorced from church services and were performed at public festivals. and were performed at public festivals. Almost all surviving miracle plays Almost all surviving miracle plays concern either the Virgin Mary or St. concern either the Virgin Mary or St. Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop of Myra Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop of Myra in Asia Minor.” in Asia Minor.”

(Encyclopedia Brittanica online)(Encyclopedia Brittanica online)

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““Both Mary and Nicholas had active cults during Both Mary and Nicholas had active cults during the Middle Ages, and belief in the healing powers the Middle Ages, and belief in the healing powers of saintly relics was widespread.” Characters of saintly relics was widespread.” Characters included “the devil, a woman falsely accused of included “the devil, a woman falsely accused of murdering her own child, and a pregnant abbess.”murdering her own child, and a pregnant abbess.”

“ “ Typical of these is a play called Typical of these is a play called St. John the St. John the HairyHairy. At the outset the title character seduces . At the outset the title character seduces and murders a princess. Upon capture, he is and murders a princess. Upon capture, he is proclaimed a saint by an infant. He confesses his proclaimed a saint by an infant. He confesses his crime, whereupon God and Mary appear and aid crime, whereupon God and Mary appear and aid John in reJohn in reviving the princess, viving the princess, which done, the which done, the murderer saint is made a bishop.”murderer saint is made a bishop.”

Why people knew Bible Why people knew Bible stories: medieval theaterstories: medieval theater

Nothing like we haveNothing like we haveConnected to the churchConnected to the church

Mystery Plays Mystery Plays

Put on by guilds (= “mysteries”)Put on by guilds (= “mysteries”)On top of a wagon (which sometimes On top of a wagon (which sometimes

would be paraded into town)would be paraded into town)Told Biblical stories to illiterate peopleTold Biblical stories to illiterate peopleVery elaborate, involving hundreds of Very elaborate, involving hundreds of

peoplepeopleStill ongoing in places like York and Still ongoing in places like York and

ChesterChester

WagonsWagons

Sometimes quite simpleSometimes quite simple

Wagon is brought in a paradeWagon is brought in a parade

Evolved until it is more Evolved until it is more elaborateelaborate

2012 York Mystery Cycle 2012 York Mystery CycleYork Mystery CycleYork Mystery Cycle

What does thisWhat does this

remind you of?remind you of?

York mystery playsYork mystery plays

Each guild puts on one part, such as Each guild puts on one part, such as Guild of Goldsmiths – Coming of the Guild of Goldsmiths – Coming of the 3 Kings3 Kings

Guild of Shipwrights – Building of the Guild of Shipwrights – Building of the ArkArk

Guild of Butchers – Death of ChristGuild of Butchers – Death of Christ

The “stars”The “stars”

GodGod JesusJesusMartyred saintsMartyred saintsEve being tempted by SatanEve being tempted by SatanFall of AdamFall of AdamNoah and the ArkNoah and the Ark

Elaborate ArkElaborate Ark

Noah and familyNoah and family

ShepherdsShepherds

The Life of ChristThe Life of Christ

Crucifixion of ChristCrucifixion of Christ

Morality PlaysMorality Plays

First in Latin, then EnglishFirst in Latin, then English

Characters:Characters:Vices (Ignorance, Greed, Riot)Vices (Ignorance, Greed, Riot)Virtues (Humility, Good Deeds)Virtues (Humility, Good Deeds)The DevilThe Devil

Battle between vices and Battle between vices and virtuesvirtues

Everyman may go to the Everyman may go to the devildevil

A Simple Everyman Play

And some non-religious plays, And some non-religious plays, tootoo