Medieval Theatre

Question 0

Theatre in the Middle Ages was revived by the church for the education of the peasantry who could not read or write or understand Latin.

True or False?

Answer 0

True

Question 1

After the fall of Rome, theatre continued to thrive and entertain the people who came to view the plays or spectacles.

True or False?

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The crucifixion of Christ was a popular play during the medieval times and was performed regularly.

True or False?

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Between 1200 and 1350 vernacular plays took over the number one spot previously owned by liturgical plays.

True or False?

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Cycle plays only dealt with religious topics and never concerned the lives of common men.

True or False?

Answer 4

False

Question 5

The physical traits that go with Everyman part of the way to the grave are beauty, strength, discretion, five-wits, and knowledge.

True or False?

Answer 5

False

Question 6

Good deeds and knowledge enter the grave with Everyman.

True or False?

Answer 6

False

Question 7

Everyman is assisted by his kin and friends in creating his book of accounts.

True or false?

Answer 7

False

Question 8

A medieval pageant wagon is still used to this day in its modern form as a homecoming or parade float.

True or false?

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Everyman was written near the end of the 15th century, and it was considered to be a translation from a Flemish play by some scholars.

True or False?

Answer 9

True

Question 10

Sent by God with a message for Everyman.

Answer 10

Death

Question 11

Represents all of humanity

Answer 11

Everyman

Question 12

Church service dramatizing biblical stories

Answer 12

The hours

Question 13

Helped Everyman all the way to the grave

Answer 13

Good deeds

Question 14

First written down liturgical play

Answer 14

Regularis Concordia

Question 15

Used mansions, church clothing, and chanted in Latin

Answer 15

Liturgical Drama

Question 16

Short plays/episodes that took hours or days

Answer 16

Cycle Plays

Question 17

Handle actors, special effects, and money

Answer 17

Directors

Question 18

Scenic structures used to illustrate surroundings

Answer 18

Mansions

Question 19

Best surviving example of a morality play

Answer 19

Everyman

Question 20

Name four of the most popular cycle plays that were dramatized during the Middle Ages.

Answer 20

1. Laserus
2. St. Paul’s conversion
3. Daniel and the lion’s den
4. Mary visiting Jesus’s tomb to find it empty

Question 21

Explain how the church helped to influence theatre in the Middle Ages.

Answer 21

The church thought plays were sinful so they tried to put a stop to them but eventually realized they couldn’t so they put a catholic spin on them and acted out bible stories. Over time they got more lenient with the plays though and allowed others.

Question 22

Explain the job of the director in the Middle Ages. How is it different from today’s director?

Answer 22

In the Middle Ages the director would talk at the beginning/end of the play, hire actors, arrange seating, overview the construction of the stage, assign people to collect money, etc…; nowadays they mostly just tell the actors how to say stuff

Question 23

How were the actors found for the festivals and cycle plays that were performed in towns?

Answer 23

The cycle plays could have up to 300 actors so the main ones would travel and the smaller parts/extras were found locally in whatever city they happened to be performing in