Medieval Theatre Flashcards
Theatre in the Middle Ages was revived by the church for the education of the peasantry who could not read or write or understand Latin.
True or False?
True
After the fall of Rome, theatre continued to thrive and entertain the people who came to view the plays or spectacles.
True or False?
False
The crucifixion of Christ was a popular play during the medieval times and was performed regularly.
True or False?
False
Between 1200 and 1350 vernacular plays took over the number one spot previously owned by liturgical plays.
True or False?
True
Cycle plays only dealt with religious topics and never concerned the lives of common men.
True or False?
False
The physical traits that go with Everyman part of the way to the grave are beauty, strength, discretion, five-wits, and knowledge.
True or False?
False
Good deeds and knowledge enter the grave with Everyman.
True or False?
False
Everyman is assisted by his kin and friends in creating his book of accounts.
True or false?
False
A medieval pageant wagon is still used to this day in its modern form as a homecoming or parade float.
True or false?
True
Everyman was written near the end of the 15th century, and it was considered to be a translation from a Flemish play by some scholars.
True or False?
True
Sent by God with a message for Everyman.
Death
Represents all of humanity
Everyman
Church service dramatizing biblical stories
The hours
Helped Everyman all the way to the grave
Good deeds
First written down liturgical play
Regularis Concordia
Used mansions, church clothing, and chanted in Latin
Liturgical Drama
Short plays/episodes that took hours or days
Cycle Plays
Handle actors, special effects, and money
Directors
Scenic structures used to illustrate surroundings
Mansions
Best surviving example of a morality play
Everyman
Name four of the most popular cycle plays that were dramatized during the Middle Ages.
- Laserus
- St. Paul’s conversion
- Daniel and the lion’s den
- Mary visiting Jesus’s tomb to find it empty
Explain how the church helped to influence theatre in the Middle Ages.
The church thought plays were sinful so they tried to put a stop to them but eventually realized they couldn’t so they put a catholic spin on them and acted out bible stories. Over time they got more lenient with the plays though and allowed others.
Explain the job of the director in the Middle Ages. How is it different from today’s director?
In the Middle Ages the director would talk at the beginning/end of the play, hire actors, arrange seating, overview the construction of the stage, assign people to collect money, etc…; nowadays they mostly just tell the actors how to say stuff
How were the actors found for the festivals and cycle plays that were performed in towns?
The cycle plays could have up to 300 actors so the main ones would travel and the smaller parts/extras were found locally in whatever city they happened to be performing in
