Background: Medieval Europe
When was the Middle Ages?
From 500 to 1500 C.E.
Early medieval church drama, written in Latin and dealing with biblical stories.
What is litergical drama (morality play)?
1. Take things out of their actual time period. 2. Mix different types of drama.
What is one of the standard dramatic techniques of medieval cycle plays?
1. A weakening of the church. 2. The secular qualities of drama overcame the religious material.
What is one of the reasons why there was a gradual decline of religious theatre toward the end of the Middle Ages?
What was the strongest force during the Middle Ages?
What is the Roman Catholic church
The most popular cycle play?
The Good Shepard's play
What also existed during the Middle Ages that were not so popular compared to the religious dramas?
What also existed during the Middle Ages that were not so popular compared to the religious dramas?
Secular theatre and drama.
What is the benefit of using a platform stage?''
Freedom of movement. The stage can turn into whatever that was designated.
What are the combined stories produced by the guilds?
Cyle (plays)
An allegorical Morality play on which Everyman is summoned to meet Death, appear before God, and seek salvation.
What is The Summoning Everyman?
Priest, _____, and choir boys originally acted in these productions.
What is a nun?
What is a two-storied cart that doubled as a stage? They would move from place to place during a cycle, producing the same story over and over again. The audience remained stationary.
A Pageant Cart
Dramas using religious characters and themes to teach a moral lesson.
What are morality plays?
These items helped draw in large audiences. Hint: Element of a GOOD play.
What is complicated technical devices and special effects.
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
What is allegory?
Short dramas based on events of the Old and New Testaments and often organized into historical cycles. Also known as cycle plays.
What are mystery plays?
They moved through towns and stopped at points along the way to present one of the plays.
How did portable wagon stages hold performances?