Medieval Theatre Vocab

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Allegory

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a symbolic fictional narrative that conveys a meaning not explicitly set forth in the narrative

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Farces

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a type of comedy that makes use of highly exaggerated and funny situations aimed at entertaining the audience

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Folk plays

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secular drama discouraged by the church. Took place around planting and harvest time and presented outdoors

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Guild

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associations or groups of craftsmen

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interludes

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were intended to be used more as a filler than as the main part of entertainment. Short, witty, simple in plot

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Liturgical drama

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a play acted within or near the church and relating stories from the Bible and of the saints

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mansions

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Also called houses, scenic device use in medieval theatrical staging

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miracle plays

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depicted the life, miracles, and martyrdom of the saints, and contained both fictional and factual components

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morality plays

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were allegorical, with characters such as Mankind (usually the hero), the Seven Deadly Sins, and the Four Daughters of God

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mystery plays

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Also called Cycle Plays. They were popular medieval plays based on biblical stories or the lives of the saints