Origin of English Drama

Origin of English Drama: Mystery Plays, Morality Plays, Early Theatre

The origin of English drama can be traced back to the medieval period when performances were deeply connected to religious teachings and communal traditions. Unlike Greek and Roman drama, which was performed in grand theaters, early English drama evolved from church ceremonies and gradually moved into secular spaces. The major forms of early English drama include Mystery Plays, Morality Plays, and early theatre traditions, all of which played a crucial role in shaping later English drama, including the works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries.

1. Mystery Plays: Biblical Storytelling in Drama

Mystery plays (also called Miracle plays) were religious dramas performed during the Middle Ages (12th–16th centuries). They originated from the liturgical dramas of the church, where clergy and choir members enacted stories from the Bible, particularly those about Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Over time, these plays moved out of churches and into town squares, performed by trade guilds during religious festivals such as Corpus Christi.

Key Features of Mystery Plays:

• Based on biblical stories (Creation, Noah’s Ark, Crucifixion).
• Performed on pageant wagons (movable stages).
• Used ordinary language instead of Latin, making them accessible to the public.
• Included humor and dramatic effects to engage audiences.

One of the most famous collections of mystery plays is the York Cycle, a series of plays performed in medieval England, covering biblical events from Genesis to Judgment Day.

2. Morality Plays: Teaching Moral Lessons Through Drama

As mystery plays became more theatrical, a new genre called morality plays emerged in the 15th century. Unlike mystery plays, which focused on biblical narratives, morality plays used allegorical characters (symbolic figures representing virtues and vices) to teach moral and religious lessons.

Key Features of Morality Plays:

• Centered on the struggle between good and evil in human life.
• Featured characters like Everyman, Good Deeds, Death, and Knowledge.
• Encouraged moral behavior and Christian values.
• Used personification to make abstract concepts relatable.

A well-known example is Everyman (late 15th century), in which the character Everyman represents all of humanity and is visited by Death, prompting him to reflect on his life and seek salvation.

3. Early Theatre and the Transition to Secular Drama

By the 16th century, drama began shifting from purely religious themes to secular subjects, leading to the rise of early English Renaissance theatre. Influences included:

• The decline of religious drama due to Protestant Reformation restrictions.
• The rise of historical and romantic themes in plays.
• The development of permanent playhouses such as The Theatre (1576), the first dedicated English playhouse.

Secular playwrights like Thomas Kyd, Christopher Marlowe, and William Shakespeare drew inspiration from medieval drama but moved towards complex plots, human emotions, and classical influences, leading to the Golden Age of English drama.

Conclusion

The Foundation for English Drama The Mystery and Morality Plays of medieval England laid the groundwork for the development of Elizabethan drama and modern theatre. They helped shift performance from religious instruction to storytelling, character development, and entertainment, shaping English drama as we know it today.

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