1. Medieval
Theatre
400 CE - 1500 CE

2. Quiz
3 M’s of Medieval Theatre
Allegorical Characters?
Two methods of Staging
Who was in charge?

3. 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)

4. The Church
Leverages Theatre
How do you make mass more interesting?
Liturgical Drama

5. Quem Quaeritis
Quem quaeritis in sepulchro, o
Christicolae?
Jesum Nazarenum crucifixum, o
caelicolae.
Non est hic; surrexit, sicut
praedixerat. Ite, nuntiate quia
surrexit de sepulchro
Translation:
The Angels: Whom do ye seek in the sepulcher,
O followers of Christ?
The Marys: Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified, O
heavenly ones.
The Angels: He is not here; he is risen, just as
he foretold. Go, announce that he is risen
from the sepulcher.
—John Glassner, editor, Medieval and Tudor
Drama.
Added to Easter Mass in 925 CE

6. Liturgical Drama
Performed by Clergy
Dramatized Biblical stories for largely illiterate
people.
Think Christmas pageant only boring.

7. Hrosvitha
German Nun
Translated works of ________ playwright
Terrence.
Closet Dramas
First Female playwright ever!

8. Staging of
Liturgical Drama
Mansions

9. Vernacular 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

10. Miracle Plays
Written about the lives and or miracles of the
Saints.
A lot about St. Nicholas and Mary, mother of
Jesus

11. Mystery Plays
Dramatizations of Bible stories
Passion Plays

12. Morality Plays
Meant to teach a moral
Used Allegorical Characters
Everyman is most popular

14. Pageant Wagons
Vernacular Drama was performed in the
streets on pageant wagons

15. Quiz
3 M’s of Medieval Theatre
Allegorical Characters?
Two methods of Staging
Who was in charge?