Mystery Plays

"Mystery Plays" by Godfrey W. Mathews offers a compelling examination of the origins, evolution, and cultural significance of medieval religious drama. The work focuses on the cycle plays that emerged across Europe during the Middle Ages, serving as a primary means of bringing biblical stories and theological concepts to the lay public through theatrical performance.Mathews explores the unique blend of spirituality and vernacular entertainment that characterized these works, which were often staged by local trade guilds in vibrant town squares. By analyzing the structure and themes of major cycles, the book illustrates how these performances transitioned from simple church-based liturgical tropes into expansive, community-driven productions. This study highlights the artistic and historical importance of the genre, showing how it laid the foundations for modern Western theatre. "Mystery Plays" is a valuable resource for students of literature, history, and drama, providing deep insight into the intersection of faith, folklore, and the performing arts in the medieval world.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.