Medieval Drama

Genres, Plays and Playwrights

Outline
Liturgical Drama Vernacular Religious Dramas/Mystery plays Secular Plays Farce Morality plays Chambers of Rhetoric Interludes Tournaments, Mummings and Disguising

Origin of Medieval Drama / beginnings of Liturgical Drama

2 kinds of Church services: Mass & Hours

Mass divided into two parts: 1)Introduction 2) The sacrament of bread and wine Services of Hours official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours.

Origin of Medieval Drama / beginnings of Liturgical Drama

Hours Services

Variable in content from day to day Could accommodate drama more easily Played more significant role in the revival of drama Church playlets being performed during services

Origin of Medieval Drama / beginnings of Liturgical Drama

Introduction of Tropes

Lengthened musical passages Extendedly melodious one syllable of for each note aid to memory Liturgical Drama has traditionally been traced to tropes Oldest extant Easter trope: Quem Quaeritis?

Origin of Medieval Drama / beginnings of Liturgical Drama

Quem Quaeritis? Whom Seek Ye,
Best known early form of the dramas Probably originally sung antiphonally Probably did not involve actors impersonating the characters

QUEM QUAERTIS. Audio CD cover. Opus 111. 10 Sep 2001

Ludwig Ferdinand Schnorr von Carolsfeld: Three Marys at the Tomb of Christ, c. 1835. Oil on canvas.

Quem quaeritis in sepulchro, O Christicole? Jesum Nazarenum crucifixum, O caelicolae. Non est hic, surrexit sicut praedixerat. Ite, nuntiate quia surrexit de sepulchro. Whom seek ye in the sepulchre, O Christian women? Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified, O heavenly one. He is not here; He is risen, as he foretold. Go, announce that He has risen from the sepulchre.

Origin of Medieval Drama / beginnings of Liturgical Drama

Regularis Concordia

Monastic Agreement Compiled between 965 - 975 Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester Based on the Rule of St. Benedict of Nursia Designed to establish uniform practices and to encourage a sense of purpose and order in Englands monasteries.

Non-liturgical Dramas
Hrosvitha (935 - 973)

Canoness at the monastery of Gandersheim Wrote six plays modeled after Terences comedies Used religious subjects / Christian themes

Portrait of Hrosvitha of Gandersheim. From Antiquitates Gandersheimenses by Johann Georg Leuckfeld

Paphnutius, Dulcitius, Gallicanus, Abraham and Maria, Callimachus, and Sapientia

Hrosvitha
First known female dramatist First identifiable Western dramatist of the postclassical era Oldest extant feminist perspective in drama She was then followed by Hildegard of Bingen who wrote Ordo Virtutum, featuring struggle between personified virtues and forces of evil.

Stained Glass Window Depicting Scenes of the Life and Works of Hrosvitha, n.d. Gandersheim Cathedral, Bad Gandersheim, Northeim, Germany. (Image: Raymond Faure, Harz-Photos

Development of Liturgical Drama

Liturgical plays were performed almost at the Benedectine monasteries Flourished at Limoges and Fleury in France, St. Gall in Switzerland, Richenau in Germany and Ripoll in Spain. Oldest and a number of existing Liturgical plays deal with the visit of the three Marys to the tomb of Christ

Development of Liturgical Drama

Most elaborate of Easter dramas date from the 13th century. One of these was found at Klosterneuberg, Germany:
EPISODES:
1. After the burial of Christ 2. Jewish high priest ask Pilate to set a watch over the tomb 3. Pilate agrees and the priests lead Roman soldiers to the tomb and give them money 4. While the soldiers are keeping guard, an Angel appears and strike them to the ground

Development of Liturgical Drama

5. The Marys stop at a perfume sellers stall to purchase ointments and then proceed to the tomb 6. They discover that Christ has risen 7. Soldiers revive and report the news to the priests, who bribe them to declare that the body has been stolen 8. Mary Magdalene reports the news to Peter and John, who rush to the tomb 9. Mary Magdalene meets Christ disguised as a gardener 10. Christ is led by two Angels to the gates of Hell, which he forces to open to free the imprisoned souls 11. The Marys and Apostles proclaim the resurrection of Christ

200 lines of dialogue in this play It is long in comparison with most liturgical dramas.

The Three Marys at the Tomb, oil on panel (72 89 cm) c. 1425 Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam

Development of Liturgical Drama

Crucifixion plays

Rarely dramatized Only a few survived. Earliest is from Italy. Begins with Judas betrayal of Christ and continues through crucifixion. Carmina Burana

13th century manuscript-collection of plays and poems where two other crucifixion plays are contained. Several events in the life of Christ and ends following the crucifixion.

Development of Liturgical Drama

Christmas plays
Plays about Three Kings Herods rage and his massacre of the children Another drama of the Christmas Season Derived from non-biblical source Sermon that sought to convict Jews of error in their dealing with Christ by summoning their own prophets.

Prophets plays

Development of Liturgical Drama

Most of these were short and associated with particular days in the church calendar One surviving work, found in Carmina Burana. Other plays dramatizing Biblical themes:
Raising of Lazarus Conversion of St. Paul The Wise and the Foolish Virgins Isaac and Rebecca Daniel in the Lions Den

The Feast of Fools

Important in the development of Comedy Inversion of status that allowed the lesser clergy ridicule their superiors and the routine of church life. During the feast, the celebrants
rang the church bell improperly sang out of tune wore strange garments and masks used old shoes as censers

The Feast of Fools

Once a year in medieval France the world turned upside down. On January 1 the great cathedrals and churches were the setting for uproarious revels that mocked the foundations of faith and poked fun at holy rites.
Read more: http://socyberty.com/holidays/a-grotesque-parody-the-feast-of-fools/#ixzz25RMSte9o

The Feast of Fools

The singing of the magnificat at vespers was the signal for the burlesque to begin. On the words He hath put down the mighty from their seat and exalted the humble and meek, the baculus, or staff of office, was handed to a representative chosen from the ranks of the lower clergy to be Bishop, Pope, or King of Fools. Then revelers dressed in pantomime costume, wearing animal masks and decked in flowers, invaded the higher stalls, the preserve of their superiors. Sometimes they put church vestments on inside out, dressed up as women, or took their clothes off.
Read more: http://socyberty.com/holidays/a-grotesque-parody-the-feast-of-fools/#ixzz25RNM0lgv

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Earliest formally developed plays in Medieval Europe (During mid-14th century) Medieval mystery plays
Focused on the representation of Bible stories in churches as tableaux Accompanied by antiphonal songs

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Vernacular texts replaced Latin Non-Biblical passages were added along with comic scenes Acting and characterization became more elaborate. Performances by guilds The mystery play developed into a series of plays dealing with all the major events in the Christian calendar, from the Creation to the Day of Judgment. Plays are performed on a decorated cart called pageant wagons that moved about the city to allow different crowds to watch each play.

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

In British Isles, plays were performed then by 125 different towns
Most extant plays are part of the four English cycle dramas:
York Chester Wakefield N-Town plays / Conventry

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

York Mystery Plays

Only complete surviving English Mystery play cycles 48 mystery plays or pageants More properly called the York Corpus Christi Plays because they were traditionally presented on the feast of Corpus Christi Performed at the city of York, mid 14th century until 1569.

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

York Mystery Plays
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. Barkers (Tanners) The creation, and the Fall of Lucifer Plasterers The creation myth up to the Fifth Day Cardmakers Creation of Adam and Eve Fullers (preparers of woolen cloth) Adam and Eve in Eden Coopers (makers of wooden casks) The Fall of Man Armourers Expulsion from Eden Glovers Sacrifice of Cain and Abel Shipwrights Building of the Ark Fishers and Mariners Noah and his Wife Parchmenters and Bookbinders Abraham and Isaac Hosiers Departure of the Israelites from Egypt;Ten Plagues; Crossing of the Red Sea Spicers Annunciation and Visitation Pewterers and Founders Joseph's Trouble about Mary Tile-thatchers Journey to Bethlehem Chandlers (Candlemakers) Shepherds Masons Coming of the Three Kings to Herod Goldsmiths Coming of the Kings: Adoration Marshals (Grooms) Flight into Egypt Girdlers and Nailers Slaughter of the Innocents Spurriers and Lorimers (Spurmakers and makers of horse bits and bridles) Christ with the Doctors Barbers Baptism of Jesus Smiths Temptation Curriers (men who dress leather) Transfiguration Capmakers Woman Taken in Adultery; Lazarus

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. Skinners Christ's Entry into Jerusalem Cutlers Conspiracy Bakers Last Supper Cordwainers (Shoemakers) Agony and Betrayal Bowyers and Fletchers Denial of Peter; Jesus before Caiphas Tapiters (makers of tapestry and carpets) and Couchers Dream of Pilate's Wife Listers (Dyers) Trial before Herod Cooks and Water-leaders Second Accusation before Pilate; Remorse of Judas; Purchase of the Field of Blood Tilemakers Second Trial before Pilate Shearman Christ Led to Calvary Pinners and Painters Crucifixion Butchers Mortification of Christ; Burial Saddlers Harrowing of Hell Carpenters Resurrection Wire drawers Christ's Appearance to Mary Magdalene Sledmen Travellers to Emmaus Hatmakers, Masons, Labourers Purification of Mary; Simeon and Anna Scriveners (Scribes) Incredulity of Thomas Tailors Ascension Potters Descent of the Holy Spirit Drapers (Dealers in cloth and dry goods) Death of Mary Weavers Appearance of Mary to Thomas Ostlers (Stablemen) Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin Mercers (Dealers in textiles) Judgement Day

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Wakefield Mystery plays

32 cycles Also being performed during the feast of Corpus Christi in Wakefield, England Most renowned Wakefield mystery play is the The Second Shepherds' Play Based on the Bible, while the others are taken from either Roman Catholic or folk tradition. Pageant wagons

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Notable plays include:
The Second Shepherds Play Noah The First Shepherds' Play Herod the Great The Buffeting The Killing of Abel
Authorship of the plays above is anonymous but is dubbed by the name of Wakefield Master

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays Wakefield Mystery Plays
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. The Creation myth The Killing of Abel Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Pharaoh (the Exodus) The Procession of the Prophets Caesar Augustus The Annunciation The Salutation of Elizabeth The First Shepherds' Play The Second Shepherds' Play The Offering of the Magi The Flight into Egypt Herod the Great The Purification of Mary The Play of the Doctors John the Baptist Lazarus The Conspiracy The Buffeting The Scourging The Hanging of Judas The Crucifixion The Talents The Deliverance of Souls The Resurrection The Pilgrims Thomas of India The Ascension of the Lord The Judgement

The Second Shepherds' Play

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Chester Mystery plays
25 cycles While church services were being conducted in Latin, monks at the Abbey of St. Werburgh enacted stories from the Bible. Scripts are often written by monks Pageant wagons Last recorded performance prior to the 20th century was in 1575.

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Chester Mystery Plays
13. Cure of the Blind Man. Raising of Lazarus. The Glovers. 14. Christ & the Leper Simon. Money-lenders. Judas' Plot. 02. The Creation & Fall, & Death of Abel. The Drapers. The Corvisors. 03. Noah's Flood. The Waterleaders & Drawers of Dee. 15. The Last Supper. Betrayal of Christ. The Bakers. 04. The Histories of Abraham. Lot, Melchysedeck, & Isaac. 16. Trial & Scourging of Christ. The Fletchers, Bowyers, The Barbers. Coopers, & Stringers. 17. The Passion and Death of Christ. The Ironmongers. 05. Moses & the Law. Balaam & Balaack. The Cappers. 06. The Annunciation & Nativity. Prophecies. The Wrights. 18. The Harrowing of Hell. The Cooks. 19. The Resurrection & the Three Maries. The Skinners. 07. The Play of the Shepherds. The Painters. 20. The Pilgrims of Emmaus. Doubting Thomas. The 08. The Three Kings Come to Herod. The Vintners. Saddlers. 09. Offering of the Three Kings. The Mercers. 21. The Ascension. The Tailors. 22. The Pentecost. The Fishmongers. 10. The Slaughter of the Innocents. The Goldsmiths. 23. Prophecies of Antichrist and Doomsday. The 11. The Purification. Christ & the Doctors. The Clothworkers. Blacksmiths. 24. Antichrist. The Dyers. 12. The Temptation in the Desert. Woman Taken in 25. The Last Judgement. The Websters. Adultery. The Butchers. 01. The Fall of Lucifer. The Tanners.

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

N-Town Mystery plays
42 cycles The manuscripts vary from simple, almost liturgical, recitations of Biblical texts to highly complex and fast moving short dramas on Biblical themes that have a naturalism and liveliness Pageant wagons

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

N-Town Mystery Plays
The Proclamation of the Banns Play 1: Creation of Heaven & Fall of the Rebel Angels Play 2: Creation of World & Fall of Adam and Eve Play 3: Cain and Abel Play 4: Noah's Flood Play 5: Abraham's Sacrifice of Isaac Play 6: Moses and the Ten Commandments Play 7: The Root of Jesse: Prophecies of the Savior Play 8: Joachim and Anna & the Conception of Mary Play 9: Joachim and Anne's Presentation of Mary at the Temple Play 13: Mary's Visit to Elizabeth Play 14: The Trial of Mary and Joseph Play 15: The Nativity Play 16: The Annunciation to and Visitation of the Shepherds Play 17: (No play) Play 18: The Adoration of the Magi Play 19: The Purification Play 20: Slaughter of the Innocents Play 21: Christ and the Doctors in the Temple Play 22: The Baptism of Christ Play 23: The Parliament in Hell and the Temptation in the Desert Play 24: The Woman taken in adultery Play 25: The Raising of Lazarus Play 26: The First Passion Play: Lucifer and John the Baptist; Conspiracy Against Christ; Entry into Jerusalem Play 27: The Last Supper

Play 10: The Marriage of Mary and Joseph

Play 11: The Parliament in Heaven and the Annunciation Play 12: Joseph's Doubt About Mary

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Play 28: Agony in the Garden & the Arrest of Christ

Play 29: Christ's Passion: Herod's Boasting; Trial Before Annas & Caiphas
Play 30: Death of Judas & Trials Before Pilate and Herod Play 31: Pilate's Wife, and the Second Trial Before Pilate Play 32: Procession to Calvary & Crucifixion of Christ Play 33: The Harrowing of Hell Play 34: Burial of Christ & Guarding of the Sepulchre Play 35: The Harrowing of Hell B: Christ's Appearance to Mary; Pilate Berates the Soldiers Play 36: The Three Marys at the Tomb of Christ Play 37: Christ's Appearance to Mary Magdalene Play 38: Christ's Appearance to Cleophas, Luke, and Thomas Play 39: The Ascension of Christ & the Selection of Matthias
The Creation (ca. 1896-1902) by James Tissot

Play 40: Pentecost Play 41: Assumption of Mary Into Heaven Play 42: Last Judgment

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

France

Much larger number of plays are extant Range from short works to those requiring 25 or more days to perform Unlike the English cycles, French plays are more restricted in time. Most end with death and resurrection of Christ

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Italy
Laudi
a type of devotional drama developed out of a penitential and flagellant movement Jacopore da Todi (1236 - 1306) wrote 90 laudi Laudi were essentially narrative but became dramatic. It includes choral portions.

Sacre Rappresentazioni
Successor of laudi Resembled other European religious dramas and it flourished in Florence.

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

In Germany, major plays were staged at Frankfurt, Madgeburg, Tergensee, Lucrene etc. Spain was also rich in vernacular religious plays.

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Plays varied by length and scope but dealt with same subject matters:
Gods ordering of existence The Apocrypha Legends about biblical figures and saints Writings of the church fathers Collection of sermons

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Observe clear-cut Cause-to-Effect relationship Episodic with little attempts to bridge the gap Loose structure (but the audience dont get offended because the believed that events occurred because God willed them.) Sense of chronology Many plays contain comic scenes
Most of it show human failings

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Authors of religious plays are mostly Anonymous. Most identifiable are French
Jean Bodel
1165 - 1210 The Play of Saint Nicolas
Performed in Arras, 5 Dec 1200 Epic battle between Muslim and Christians

Bodel reading his poem to a group of listeners (the cropped hair, face and hands marked with black dots, suggest leprosy. Instrument belt worn by the poet could be a rattle)

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Rutebeuf
1230 - 1285 The Miracle of Theopile
Thophile sells his soul to the Devil. Overcome by remorse, he prays to the Virgin Mary, who delivers him from the cursed pact.

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Arnoul Greban
1420 1471 Canon of the church of Le Mans The Mystery of the Passion
Consisting about 35,000 verses Dramatizes the events in Jesus life

Vernacular Religious Drama / Mystery Plays / Miracle Plays

Together with his (Greban) brother, Simon (a monk of St. Riquier), they composed The Act of the Apostles
Consisting of nearly 62,000 verses Performance at Bourges in 1536 lasted 40 days

Jean Michel
A physician Revised the passion play wrote by Greban to 65,000 verses (1507)

Secular Drama

jongleur, - professional storyteller or public entertainer in medieval France, often indistinguishable from the trouvre. The role of the jongleur included that of musician, juggler, and acrobat, as well as reciter of such literary works as the fabliaux, chansons de geste, lays, and other metrical romances that were sometimes of his own composition.

Jongleurs and troubadors performing before the German emperor, manuscript illumination from the Manessa Codex, c. 1300. Credit: Gianni Dagli Orti/Corbis

Emerged from many sources: Mimes amd entertainers, jongleurs with their stories and songs and pagan ritual.

Secular Drama
Adam de la Halle of Arras
1250 1306 Poet, musician, and innovator of the earliest French secular theater Jeu de la feuille (Play of the Greenwood)
Oldest extant medieval secular drama Satirical fantasy based on his own life
Adam de la Halle, detail from a manuscript, 1278; in the Municipal Library of Arras, France (MS. No. 657) Courtesy of the Bibliothque Municipale dArras, France

Secular Drama
Le Cong (The Leave Taking)
Expresses his sorrow at leaving his wife and his native Arras.

Jeu de Robin et de Marion (The Play of Robin and Marion)

dramatization of the pastoral theme of a knights wooing of a pretty shepherdess, with dances and peasants dialogue

Farce
Show imperfect humanity within the social order.

Farce
Antecedents of farce are found in ancient Greek and Roman theatre, both in the comedies of Aristophanes and Plautus. Uses highly improbable situations Stereotyped characters Extravagant exaggeration Violent horseplay

Farce
Typical subject matters are:
Marital Infidelity Quarrelling Cheating Hypocrisy Human failings

Farce
Farce was first found in 13th century. The oldest to survive was:
The Boy and the Blind Man Anonymous author About two scoundrels, a "blind" beggar and his servant boy. The blind beggar has a secret hoard of coins, which the boy tricks away from him. The boy deceives, robs then beats his master.

Farce
The Farce of Master Pierre Pathelin Anonymous author 5 characters: Pierre Pathelin, his wife Guillemette, a clothier, a shepherd, and a judge Every character is dishonest in some way except the judge. Issues including the complex emerging state structure and honesty.

Farce

Pierre Pathelin and his wife. Woodcut from the edition of the play published in 1490.

Farce
Two variations of Farce:
Sotties Farce in which al the characters were fools

Disguised political, social or religious satires Characters wore parti-colored garments (i.e.hood with ass ears, cocks comb) Basoche du Palais & Enfants sans Souci (Paris)

Societes joyeuses a burlesque sermon

Farce
The Prince of Fools Sottie written by Pierre Gringoire (1475-1538) A satire on a quarrel between Frances Louis XII and Pope Julius II Enfants sans Souci

Farce
Shrovetide plays

A type of farce came from Germany that grew out of folk festivals By 1450, revels centered around an elaborate and often riotous procession. As a part of the procession, they performed short plays that required so little background so they could be presented anywhere.

Farce
Early writers: Hans Rosenplt, Hanz Folz and Hans Sachs (best known later author by far)
Hans Sachs
Shoemaker and a master singer Wrote 198 dramatic works; 64 of which he classified Shrovetide plays Wrote The Wandering Scholar and Exorcist

Hans Sachs, wood engraving by Michael Ostendorfer

A student convinces a man that he can call up the Devil, he forces a priests to impersonate for concealing his illicit relationship with the mans wife. All bestow money to the student. The man for his skills in exorcism; the priest as bribery

Farce
In England, independent in form, John Haywood (1497-1580) wrote Johan, Johan in 1533.
About a henpecked husband who, when ridiculed by his wife and his lover, a priest, drives them both from his house, only to worry about what they may be doing elsewhere.

Morality Plays
Secular form closet in tone to the cycle plays Didactic dramas that appeared in the 14th century as religious plays Education through entertainment Principal links between religious and professional stages

Influences of Morality Plays

Pater Noster prayers
Divided into 7 petitions related to:
Seven Cardinal Virtue (Prudence, Justice, Temperance, Fortitude, Faith, Hope, and Charity) Seven Deadly Sins (Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy and Sloth)

Framework of continuous struggle between good and evil to possess mans soul.

Influences of Morality Plays

Popular outdoor preachers applying Biblical teachings Literature, both religious and secular, had popularized allegory (i.e. Romance of the Rose) Christianity concerned with Death and afterlife. Only hope is Salvation.

Morality Plays
Pater Noster plays performed at York, Lincoln, Beverly etc. are considered dramatic ancestors of morality plays. Morality plays flourished between 1400-1550 Oldest extant morality play is The Pride of Life
King of Life displays an overweening pride (one fragment). Assumingly, the other parts show humiliation and repentance.

Morality Plays
The Castle of Perseverance (1425)

Depicts Mankinds progress from birth to death and shows final judgment on his soul. 3600 lines with 36 characters

Morality Plays
Mankind (1470)

Plays action is also interrupted to permit the actors to collect money form the audience. Seven roles, no scenery no complex properties Mankind (rep. of human race) follows his fall into sin and repentance Demonstrates how the morality play was adapted to the needs of professional players Popular entertainment out of desire to attract paying audience

Morality Plays
Well-advised, Ill-Advised

Presented in Rennes, France in 1439 8000 lines long, 60 characters Contrast behavior of the well-advised and the ill-advised man Well-advised Heaven; Ill-advised - Hell

Morality Plays
The Just Man and the Worldy Man

Written by Simon Bougoin Staged at Tarascon in 1476

Man the Sinner

Performed at Tours in 1494 True happiness lies in obedience to God

Morality Plays
Everyman (1500)
Anonymous Best known of all morality plays Everyman receives a summon from Death. He seeks companions to accompany him on his journey. Eventually only Good Deeds goes only with him into the grave.

Developments in Morality Plays

Use of secular subjects

John Skeletons Magnificence (1516)

Describes the lifestyle appropriate to a ruler

Nicolass de la Chesnayes Condemnation of the Banquet (1507)

Dangers of overeating

Developments in Morality Plays

Morality play was adapted as a weapon in religious controversies that swept Europe during the 16th century. [Brockett and Hildy]
John Bales King John (1538)
English ruler holds out against the evil forces of the pope

Cornelius Schonaeus plays Christian Terence (1592)

Influence from Hrosvithas dramas in the manner of Terence.

Developments in Morality Plays

Introduction of classical subjects
Philosophical, informative and educational Plays: Henry Medwalls Nature (1500) / John Rastells The Four Elements

Chambers of Rhetoric
Dramatic societies in Low Countries Originated in the 14th century Poetry, Music, and Drama Competitions among societies were popular in the period from 1493-1570 Question was posed: To which various Chambers composed and performed answers in the form of allegorical drama. Prizes went to those judged best. Since religious drama did not flourish in Low Countries, this kind became their major dramatic expression

Interludes
Presented indoors as part of entertainment of rulers, merchants, and nobles Label derived from the practice of presenting plays between the parts of some other event. Use little scenery and few characters because its often performed in crowded places like banquet halls

Interludes
Henry Medwalls Fulgens and Lucrece
Oldest extant (1497)

Death of Lucretia, an artistic and symbolic rendition of the event by Sandro Botticelli. In this detail of the center of the painting, the citizens with drawn swords are swearing the overthrow of the monarchy. 'The Tragedy of Lucretia,' ca. 1500-1501, Sandro Botticelli, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

Tournaments, Mummings and Disguisings

Alongside the interludes, other entertainment grew around
Tournaments (training knights in warfare) Mummings and Disguisings (court entertainment includes sword dance, comic dance, songs, dumb show, masks etc.)

Reference:
Brockett, Oscar. The History of the Theater. Ninth Edition. Allyn and Bacon, 2003

Thank you!
Presented by Jeffrey U. Hernandez