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Medieval theater word list
Theater History-Medieval theater
12
Film, Theatre & Television
Undergraduate 1
10/19/2014

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Term
Quem Quaeritis trope
Definition

Literally: Whom do you seek?

An Easter introit trope derived from the account of the visit to Christ's tomb by the women, acted in the 10th century by ecclesiastics, and in its amplified dramatized form being the earliest known liturgical drama

Term
Hrosvitha
Definition

c. 935-973

Dulcitius (ca.975)

First known Christian dramatist, Saxon poet, female historian of Europe

In an effort to counteract the pagan morality expressed in classical works wrote 6 comedies in Latin, based on Terence, but embodying Christian themes.

 

 

Term
Christian typology
Definition

A doctrine of theological types; especially: one holding that things in Christian belief are prefigured or symbolized by things in the Old Testament

Term
passion play (mystery play)
Definition

A religious drama of medieval origin dealing w/the suffering, death, and ressurection of Christ. It is a traditional part of Lent in several Christian denominations, particularly in Catholic tradition.

Term
morality play
Definition

An allegorical drama popular in Europe especially during the 15th and 16th centuries, in which the characters personify moral qualities (such as charity or vice) or abstractions (as death or youth) and in which moral lessons are taught.

Term
station drama
Definition

The episodic presentation of the suffering and death of Jesus in the Stations of the Cross.

In expressionist theater: dramas that model themseves on this 

Term
mansions
Definition

A scenic device used in medieval theatrical staging. Each one represented different locales in biblical stories/scenes from the life of Christ as performed in churches. A mansion consisted of a small booth containing a stage w/corner posts supporting a canopy, decorated curtains and a chair/props to be used by actors in that scene.

Term
platea
Definition

The neutral acting area of a stage; a number of mansions/booths, representing specific locations, placed around the acting area. Actors would move from mansion to mansion as the play demanded. Also used as the acting area for places not specified by individual mansions, such as streets and open country.

Term
Corpus Christi festival
Definition

A pageant in the Spring in which magistrates and members of guilds performed cycles of miracle plays and mystery plays. After the doctrine of transubstantiation was rejected during the Reformation, the festival was suppressed in Protestant churches.

Term
guilds
Definition

An association of craftsmen or merchants formed for mutual aid and protection and for the furthering of their professional interests. Guilds flourished in Europe between the 11th and 16th centuries.

Term
pageant wagon
Definition

Wheeled vehicle used in the staging of medieval vernacular cycle plays. Large carts, each containing from 1-3 mansions, were constructed by trade guilds and dismantled at the close of the season each year. Most closely associated w/the English cycle plays performed from 1375-mid-16th century as part of Corpus Christi

Term
Hell mouth
Definition

The most elaborate and ingenious mansion was usually the hellmouth, a booth in the shape of a monster’s jaws, from which smoke and fireworks issued and actors dressed as devils appeared.

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