Get Outside and Have a (Mystery) Play: Crash Course Theater #10

The video explores medieval theater, focusing on mystery and morality plays. It discusses the evolution from liturgical drama to secular performances, highlighting the role of cycle plays in uniting religious and secular life. The Second Shepherd's Play is analyzed for its blend of biblical and English vernacular elements. The video concludes with the emergence of secular and morality plays, emphasizing their influence on Renaissance theater.

What was the primary focus of mystery and morality plays in the late Middle Ages?

• To entertain with secular stories

• To unite religious and secular life

• To showcase technological advancements

• To promote political agendas

What significant change occurred in the early 13th century regarding drama?

• Drama became more focused on comedy

• Drama moved from clerical to secular

• Drama started incorporating music

• Drama was banned entirely

What are cycle plays known for depicting?

• The daily life of medieval peasants

• The adventures of mythical heroes

• The lives of famous kings

• The history of the Christian universe

Which guild might have been responsible for staging the story of Noah and the Ark?

• Bakers

• Shipwrights

• Blacksmiths

• Carpenters

What was a common feature of medieval stagecraft in cycle plays?

• Elaborate costumes

• Sophisticated lighting

• Special effects like trap doors

• Advanced sound systems

What is the main plot twist in 'The Second Shepherd's Play'?

• A wolf attacks the flock

• A shepherd becomes a king

• A sheep is disguised as a baby

• A shepherd finds a hidden treasure

What unusual gift is brought to baby Jesus in 'The Second Shepherd's Play'?

• A magical staff

• A silver sword

• A tennis ball

• A golden crown

What is the primary message of morality plays?

• The power of love

• The inevitability of death

• The joy of adventure

• The importance of wealth

Which play is considered the first dramatization of the Robin Hood stories?

• The Play of the Greenwood

• The Play of the Merry Men

• The Play of Robin and Marian

• The Play of Sherwood

Who started the genre of morality plays?

• Christopher Marlowe

• Geoffrey Chaucer

• Hildegard of Bingen

• William Shakespeare