Adam, The Second Shepherd's Play, and Everyman Flashcards
Summary of Adam
- Adam and Eve Story - God gives Adam and Eve paradise, forbids them to eat from the tree of knowledge, the two are tempted by the serpent/devil and Eve eats the fruit and offers it to Adam who eats as well, God then shows up and is displeased with them, kicks them out of Paradise, Adam bemoans the situation and blames Eve, Eve is sad and accepts guilt
- Cain and Abel Story - both Cain and Abel make offerings to God however Cain doesn’t really give it his all whereas Abel gives genuinely of himself and what he offers, Abel’s offerings are looked on with favor whereas Cain’s are not, Cain kills Abel out of jealousy and spite and God asks for Abel and sentences him to a life of sadness
- Parade of Prophets (Abraham, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Balaam, Daniel, Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Nebuchadnezzar) - they tell of Jesus’ coming
- debate with a Jew - Isaiah lays down the prophetic truth to a Jew
- ultimate prophesying of Christ’s coming
Who wrote Adam?
Anonymous
Summary of The Second Shepherd’s Play
1st Shepherd complains about the landowners who underappreciate the workers (oppression), 2nd Shepherd enters and talks of his marital disappointments, 3rd Shepherd complains about the weather and how it conspires against them, they all meet up and start singing together, Mak enters and they exchange pleasantries and then go for a nap. While they sleep Mak steals a sheep, and brings it home to his wife, she comes up with a plan to hide the sheep in swaddling clothes and pretend its a baby she just gave birth to. Mak goes back to the field and “wakes up” with the Shepherd’s, they talk of the dreams they had while sleeping for a bit then go to Mak’s house. After the Shepherd’s leave and return again, noting that a sheep is missing, they go into his house, they notice the “baby”, want to give him a gift and discover the sheep. They then toss him in a sheet. The shepherd’s go back to the fold and an angel appears telling them the good news, the shepherd’s go to Bethlehem and appear at the Nativity, praise the Christ child and give him gifts. They then sing, and Mary looks down.
Some basic info about The 2nd Shepherd’s Play
Author: Wakefield Master
Type of Work: Drama (myst. or cycle play)
Type of Plot: social satire and devotional mysticism
Time of Plot: The Nativity
Setting: Bethlehem and surrounding territory
Date: 15th c. manuscript
Special features of The 2nd Shepherd’s play
- both 1st and 2nd shepherd’s plays feature rough spoken rustic shepherds
- Mak and his prank are a folktale following
- 1st part of play is realistic comedy
- anachronisms abound
- characterization - 1st shep.: oldest, complains about landowners and oppression, 2nd.: complains about marital disappointments, 3rd shep.:youngest, conplains about the weather/elements
- contrasts - first and last scenes; cradle trick and nativity scene (lamb of God)
What is anachronism?
something/someone that is incorrect historically or chronologically (dictionary.com) (ex. shepherds saying Christ before the angel telling them about him)
Adam is a trilogy comprised of…?
- Adam and Eve (Creation) fall of man
- Cain and Abel (murder of Abel)
- Ordo Prophetarium
What is the Ordo Prophetarium?
parade of prophets, each of whom announces the coming of Christ
Where/how was Adam performed?
performed outside the church, meant to be acted, not sung
Summary of Everyman
Messenger gives intro saying its a morality play. God then shows up and tells of his distress because Everyman has forgotten him and lives immorally with no regard for his law. He then sends Death to take Everyman. Death goes to him and Everyman is shocked, he asks for more time and Death says no, giving him only time to bring someone/thing that will accompany him to the grave. Fellowship and Kindred refuse. Goods also refuses to go with him. Good-Deeds is too weak to accompany. Knowledge agrees to go with him. They go to Confession where Everyman is forgiven and continues to search for people to go with him and Death. Discretion, Strength, Beauty and Five Wits say that they’ll go but later back out. It comes time for Everyman to go, his change of heart has strengthened Good Deeds so she and knowledge go with him in Death. Angel brings him to heaven. Doctor tells the moral of the story: think about what matters in life and those who value the right things and focus on GoodDeeds will have their reward in heaven.
What is an allegory?
a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms, figurative treatment of an abstract idea
What are some major themes of Everyman?
live life to the fullest, don’t take life for granted, focus on the right things during life because when you die there are a number of things you can’t take with you to heaven, “death is the way we appreciate life”
What does memento mori mean? What is the idea behind it?
“remember death”, be aware of one’s mortality and let that motivate you to live a good life because you never know when it’s going to end, ‘death is the way we appreciate life’
Some basic info about Everyman
- Date: Approx 1508
- Author: Anon.
- Form: moral allegory, abstractions personified, parable ; episodic, not cycle play, complete in itself; considered secular form, emphasis on man in everyday life; developed primarily in England
- Types: 1. those dealing with a limited problem
2. those treating the whole of man’s life - Central image: pilgrimage
- Theme: memento mori
