What were the mystery plays originally intended to teach?

The mystery of God's word through Bible stories.

How did guilds contribute to the changing nature of plays in the 13th century?

Guilds were assigned to act out different parts of the cycle, sometimes changing the stories from their true Bible origins.

A morality play is an allegorical story featuring characters representing virtues and vices battling for control of the soul.

The plays were intended to teach against immorality, but they often encouraged vices as more popular than virtues.

A movable cart used as a stage for performing plays in cycles.

7th GradeELA45 min

I can identify common themes in Shakespeare's plays.

4 min

The emergence of drama as a literary art - Mindy Ploeckelmann

TED-Ed

9 min

Key concepts students will learn:

•
In the 11th and 12th centuries, clergy created mystery plays and miracle plays to teach the Bible to illiterate commoners.
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Pageants were moving carts used to perform cycles of Bible stories, and guilds were later assigned to act out parts reflecting their professions.
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By the end of the 14th century, morality plays evolved, featuring characters representing virtues and vices battling for control of the soul.

14 min

11 questions • Multiple choice & Short answer

5 min

“Name one way that the plays changed after the clergy were no longer in charge of them.”

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