Mystery plays~ A short note

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Mystery Plays

• Drama was initiated from religion, especially in European countries & Greece.

• Mystery plays are only based on Saint's life and old testament.

{Note : there are two parts of Bible, first one is old Testament and second one is New Testament, the old testament is concerned with before the birth of Jesus Christ and the new testament is concerned with after the birth of Jesus Christ.}

• These kind of plays were generally represented in the Churches and especially at the time of Christmas.

• In these kinds of plays, stories were taken from the Bible.

• Each play had four or five different scenes or acts and the priest and the monks were actors.

• Each scene and act was performed in different parts of the town, requiring people to move from one location to another, and it concluded at the church.

• In these kind of plays, they neglected 3 unities that is time, place and action.

• Basically these kinds of places were divided into three parts that is hell, heaven and earth.

• So, we can say that the mystery plays represent the life of Christ from old testament.


Example : "The Second Shepherd's Play" 

Here's an analysis of "The Second Shepherd's Play" as a mystery play:

"The Second Shepherd's Play" is a medieval mystery play that tells the story of the Nativity, but with a twist. The play is part of a cycle of plays performed in York, England, during the 15th century.

Plot:

The play revolves around two shepherds, Coll and Gib, who are tending their sheep. They meet a third shepherd, Daw, who has had his sheep stolen. The three shepherds then meet a fourth character, Mak, who is the thief. However, Mak's character is soon revealed to be a symbol of the devil, and the play takes a turn towards the Nativity story.

Mystery Play Elements:

"The Second Shepherd's Play" contains several elements characteristic of mystery plays:

1. Allegory: The story of the shepherds and the stolen sheep is an allegory for the Nativity story.

2. Symbolism: Mak's character symbolizes the devil, while the sheep represent Christ.

3. Moral Message: The play conveys a moral message about the importance of faith and redemption.

Mystery Play Structure:

The play follows a typical mystery play structure:

1. Prologue: The play begins with a prologue that introduces the theme and characters.

2. Main Action: The main action of the play revolves around the shepherds and Mak.

3. Climax: The climax of the play occurs when Mak's true nature is revealed.

4. Conclusion: The play concludes with a moral message and a celebration of the Nativity.

In conclusion, "The Second Shepherd's Play" is a classic example of a medieval mystery play, incorporating allegory, symbol and moral messaging to convey the nativity story.



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