Patterns & Metaphors
Christian mystery and miracle plays
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Medieval didactic religious drama, written in verse, and later in prose, took as its themes the intervention of the divine and its supernatural agencies in human life. Those based on scripture were called mystery plays as they were often focussed on the enigmas of the prophetic Old Testament and the witnessing New Testament's messianic symbols, while those based on the life or deeds of the Blessed Virgin Mary or on other saints were named after their works as miracles. These Christian plays allowed for sometimes large casts of lay men and lay women actors to give public expression to their religious beliefs and sentiments. They were appropriately performed in the liturgical year, notably at Advent and Lent, and in their public character relate also to Carnival or Mardi Gras, to the Feast of Fools and to the Triumphs or Christian allegorical processions, all of which contained elements of drama such as costuming and mimetic action.
