Worksheet 12

• Literatuur
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 4

Mystery and Morality plays

(This is theme 1, religion)

In the following slide you’ll see a (contemporary!) poem about Mr Nobody.... who did it. 

What are allegories? 

Wikipedia: As a literary device, an allegory is a narrative in which a character, place, or event is used to deliver a broader message about real-world issues and occurrences. Authors have used allegory throughout history in all forms of art to illustrate or convey complex ideas and concepts in ways >>

Writers and speakers typically use allegories to convey (semi-)hidden or complex meanings through symbolic figures, actions, imagery, or events, which together create the moral, spiritual, or political meaning the author wishes to convey.[2] Many allegories use personification of abstract concepts

... that are comprehensible or striking to its viewers, readers, or listeners: God can be a person and so can Love. That is how the Morality plays taught illiterate people about values, law and the stories of the holy Bible. (in English, not in Latin!) 

York mystery plays 2010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nyFLOlEupM&t=144s

Everyman, the medieval play

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytA-liJ1yl8