Mystery play: (also called miracle play) a medieval drama based on a religious story and performed in the vernacular. During the 13th century, trade guilds in Europe started producing plays based on biblical stories; originally these were performed in churches, but they became increasingly secular and began to be staged elsewhere. In England they were performed on temporary stages or on wagons which were trundled along an established route, stopping at fixed points where the audience awaited them.
Cycle Plays: a group of works, usually narrative poems, that either share a common theme or subject or are linked together as a sequence. The mystery plays of the Middle Ages that were performed as a sequence during the same festival at a particular place are referred to as the York Cycle, the Chester Cycle.
I just thought it would be helpful to clarify that although the plays are listed as mystery plays and cycle plays, they are in fact the same thing. Both terms refer to a medieval drama that deals with plays that travel around the town as a group. Therefore the play "The Building of the Ark" is in fact a mystery play and a cycle play.
"mystery play" World Encyclopedia. Philip's, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Central Washington University. 6 December 2010 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t142.e7914>
"cycle" The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms. Chris Baldick. Oxford University Press, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Central Washington University. 6 December 2010 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t56.e281>
No comments:
Post a Comment