1. Old English Drama The Beginnings of Drama in England

2. Around 900 A.D. – Catholic Church losing interest of common people because services held in Latin Around 900 A.D. – Catholic Church losing interest of common people because services held in Latin Church took action by adding sculptures, paintings, images, frescoes, crucifixes, pictured windows, and enactments Church took action by adding sculptures, paintings, images, frescoes, crucifixes, pictured windows, and enactments

3. Earliest Plays Based on the liturgy of the church Based on the liturgy of the church Used costumes, pageantry, music, etc. Used costumes, pageantry, music, etc. Used especially during the Holy Week Used especially during the Holy Week Priest would intone and play the part of Christ as he is brought for execution Priest would intone and play the part of Christ as he is brought for execution

4. Plays became more complex Plays became more complex Had to be moved outside Had to be moved outside Plays had to be held on Corpus Christi day (bad weather) Plays had to be held on Corpus Christi day (bad weather) These plays helped establish a national literature (performed in English) These plays helped establish a national literature (performed in English)

5. After 1066 – The Norman Conquest Began presenting enactments of Bible stories, i.e., Cain and Abel, the fall of man, Noah and the Flood, David and Goliath Began presenting enactments of Bible stories, i.e., Cain and Abel, the fall of man, Noah and the Flood, David and Goliath Biblical “dramas” Biblical “dramas”

6. Miracle and Mystery Plays About miracles performed by the saints About miracles performed by the saints About saints’ lives and the central events of their lives About saints’ lives and the central events of their lives Not put on by the church Not put on by the church Guilds had their own wagon; put on plays –kind of like a parade Guilds had their own wagon; put on plays –kind of like a parade Bakers’ Guild – might do story of Five Loaves and Two Fishes Bakers’ Guild – might do story of Five Loaves and Two Fishes Guilds took great pride in their presentations Guilds took great pride in their presentations Primary goal becomes entertainment, but still Biblical subjects Primary goal becomes entertainment, but still Biblical subjects

7. Morality Plays About moral dilemmas About moral dilemmas No connection with liturgical service No connection with liturgical service About abstract ideas – Faith, Hope, Death, Greed, etc. About abstract ideas – Faith, Hope, Death, Greed, etc. Abstract ideas personified Abstract ideas personified Plays were allegorical Plays were allegorical