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The first female dramatist, Hrosvitha, began her time during the same time when liturgical plays began to be made. During her reign in medieval plays, she made strides to break the male dominance preserved in theatre. And every play was dominated by the men. But due to her six plays, "Pafnutius, Dulcitius, Gallicanus, Abraham, Callimachus, and Sapientia" (Brockett et al), the view of women began to change from "weak, easily tempted" (Brockett et al) to women who can be equal to men. -
"Quem Quaeritis trope" is one of the earliest known examples of liturgical play. This play is said to be dated around A.D. 970. This play "dramatized the arrival of three women at the tomb of Christ, the announcement by an angel that Christ has risen and the subsequent rejoicing" (Brockett et al). This play is short in dialogue, around four lines are sung by the choir and was sung in church for an Easter service. These short plays were funded by the church and all remained short. -
Fixed stages, commonly known in the medieval era as mansions, was a long non-moving stage that had two sides. The two sides were, "Heaven and Hell were the two opposite realms identified by the two opposite sides of the stage" (Staging). This elaborate setup, allowed in-depth stories to be told in one go without having to change the stage or props. Between the two locations is where the actors would perform, this being called the platea. The use of this stage allowed for many biblical stories. -
"Corpus Christi" is a festival held that celebrates the death of Christ, it is typically "Observed sixty days after Easter, fell variously from May 21 to June 24" (Brockett et al). It is not only about the sacrifice Christ made, but "the redemptive power of the sacraments of bread and wine (the body and blood of Christ)" (Brockett et al). This festival has provided many great stories to be adapted into theatre, and most commonly known are Easter plays that portray what this festival is for. -
During the time of religious plays, several other dramatic types were popular. Among those included farces, interludes, and moralities. Moralities flourished during the times between 1400 and 1550. Moralities, "unlike religious pays, which treated the spiritual trials of ordinary persons. They were allegories about the moral temptations that beset all human beings" (Brockett et al). With morality, the protagonist is shown to succumb to temptations but later directed back onto the righteous path. -
"The Second Shepherd's Play" is a famous medieval mystery play. A mystery play in the medieval era is said to contain the story of the bible or follow the lives of saints within the biblical stories. In the play, it is stated that "In both plays, it becomes clear that Christ is coming to Earth to redeem the world from its sins" (Lumen). The play is thought to contain the manuscript of two separate plays, but with how the plays are shown it is believed that they were one play, to begin with. -
A passion play can be described as, a "religious drama of medieval origin dealing with the suffering, death, and Resurrection of Christ" (Britannica). These plays were designed to allow the viewer to obtain the teachings of the bible, such as the "Last Supper, "lament of the Virgin Mary," and "Mary Magdalene’s life and repentance." Such passion plays were more impactful when compared to the other genres being produced during the medieval time period. -
The play "Entrance to Hell" contained an elaborate set of special effects that were well beyond the capabilities of many other directors and prop makers of the time. The prop "was an actual mouth, with mechanical jaws that open and close, and it was filled with fire. It was an automaton that swallowed and vomited its victims on its own, and its eyes glittered" (Medievalist). This example of special effect went beyond the typical bloody handkerchiefs or dull knives, it allowed for a deeper story. -
Johann Gutenberg's Bible is, if not, the most famous Bible in history. The importance behind this Bible is due to it being the, "earliest full-scale work printed in Europe using moveable type." (UK Library). With this advancement in print, the progression, and availability of art and literature, can be produced much more efficiently. Because of print, scripts for plays and other forms of theatre can be mass-produced which makes the hassle of handwriting scripts a thing of the past. -
Morality plays were extremely popular plays, being credited to many plays during the medieval era. However, one play that stands out compared to others is known as "Everyman." Morality plays are "allegories about the moral temptations that beset all human beings" (Brockett et al). The reason "Everyman" is famous is due to the story, "God orders Death to summon the title character" (Brockett et al). The reason the play is so impactful is due to the reinforcement that religion is needed in lives.