William Shakespeare s Morality Play Essay - 1763 Words

Throughout medieval times, many religions taught their beliefs and ideals by means of putting on plays for the commoners, who often could not understand the languages in which their beliefs were taught in churches and religious settings. Two distinct plays emerged over the medieval time in which religious beliefs were on display in some form for the common people: morality plays and mystery plays. A morality play is a didactic, religious, allegorical play that is not explicitly in regards to a biblical story, but rather tells the audience how they should act and how they should think; a morality play is sponsored by a church or religious group. Everyman is a morality play that emerged in the medieval time period, while The Second Shepherd’s Play is a mystery play that existed in the same time period. A mystery play is one that tells a biblical story, but is not a religious mystery; in contrast, a mystery play is not sponsored by a church or religious group. A mystery play is s ponsored by the community and is in a language that the common people know and understand. When considering which of the two plays is more successful at teaching the Christian doctrine, I would argue that both Everyman and The Second Shepherd’s Play both successfully teach the Christian doctrine; while both plays have different religious aspects and uses of biblical themes and biblical stories, each of the plays are successful in teaching the Christian doctrine. However, The Second Shepherd’s Play isShow MoreRelatedWilliam Shakespeare s Everyman As An English Morality Play1277 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"Everyman† is an English morality play whose author is unknown. It dates back to the 16th century and was first seen in England. The play depicts a man who is caught up in a secular world and is more concerned with worldly riches than nurturing his spiritual life. 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William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet speaks to the timeless appeal of star-crossed loversRead MoreMacbeth Essay856 Words   |  4 Pages2012 MacBeth 5 Paragraph Essay A Tragic Tale of Ambition A Play By: William Shakespeare ENG-3UR As Shakespeare s tale of tragic ambition Macbeth progresses, Lady Macbeth undergoes a metamorphosis moving from a stable, loving wife, into a power hungry woman driven to madness by her own obsession for complete control. Although when the question who is ultimately responsible for Duncan s death is asked, many will point the finger at Lady Macbeth. While she played a role in manipulatingRead MoreThe Effects Of Soliloquy On Elizabethan Audience954 Words   |  4 PagesElizabethan Audience In William Shakespeare s revenge tragedy play Hamlet, the prevailing themes of revenge, madness, and morality were recognized by the Elizabethan audience and appealed to them. 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In a larger sense, the theme of bad versus goodRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Macbeth And Richard IIi906 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare employs a variety of techniques in his plays to show good characters from bad characters; one such technique as the application of deformity or an abnormality manifests itself physically and psychologically with the dramas. The incorporation of a defect, whether it be physically or psychology, reveals flawed characteristics within the said character. Most of these flawed characteristics, though revealed in different situations, share similar problems and co nsequences. For exampleRead MoreEssay about Elizabethan Theater1308 Words   |  6 Pages Elizabethan Theater Drama changed literature and theater into what it is today. I. History of Elizabethan Theater a. forming of theater 1. medieval church 2. mystery and morality b. actors 1. rogues and thieves 2. acting guilds II. Influences and people a. commanding actors 1. Shakespeare 2. Burbage b. other 1. wars of the roses (other historical influences) 2. laws restricting theater III. The theaters a. prices 1. seating 2. stage b. the theater and the globe 1. locations and characteristicsRead MoreMerchant Of Venice Essay Outline956 Words   |  4 Pagesthroughout the story of the play to make the plot move along and to encourage the characters into action. Bridge: When you read The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare there are many themes throughout the play and many lessons to be learned. Main Ideas: The most important themes are hatred, mercy and friendship. Hatred is important because it creates rivalry amongst the characters . Friendship motivates the heros and allows for there to be a logical conclusion as both Shakespeare and his characters