ENG 471/571: Medieval Drama
Dr. Andrew Higl
Class: 2:00P - 3:20P Minne' Hall 358
Office: Minne 320
Phone: 507-457-5527
Email: ahigl@winona.edu
Office Hours: MWF 9:00-11:00; TTH 12:00-2:00
Course Description:
This course will focus on English drama from its beginnings to the early Renaissance, including
liturgical drama, saints' plays, miracle plays, the cycles, and interludes. In addition to the primary
texts, we will consider relevant literary criticism and historical accounts of the dramatic works’
cultural contexts. The goals of this course are both to read each work closely as a work of literature
and to examine each type of drama in light of the conventions and practices that governed the
original performances in the Middle Ages. In the spirit of this latter goal, we will do some informal
performances in class. Although some texts will be in modern English translation, many will be in
the original Middle English.
[Image from Huntingdon Library MS
HM1, fol. 38r, first lines of the Second
Shepherds' Play.]
Required Texts:
Medieval Drama, ed. David Bevington
Material Culture and Medieval Drama, ed. Clifford Davidson
Technology, Guilds, and Early English Drama, Clifford Davidson
York Mystery Plays (http://www.reed.utoronto.ca/yorkplays/york.html)
N-Town Plays (http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/sdntintro.htm)
Other readings posted to d2l and on reserve in the library
Assignments:
Daily Discussion/Reflection: For each class (except exam days) I expect you to write a paragraph about the reading for that
day. Your paragraph should include an element of reflection and propose a point for discussion that we might take up in
class. Your point of reflection might be simply a statement of synthesis or a gut reaction to the reading. Your discussion point
must be specific to the text, but it should be something that opens up an issue of interpretation. Your paragraph must be
posted to d2l five hours before class.
Short Essay: The short essay will be an exercise in close reading and imaginative speculation about the potential for
performance.
Oral Report/Research Paper
an oral report and 1500-2500-word research paper on one of the topics in italics on the syllabus below, with the research
paper due at the beginning of the class following the oral report
Final Essay: You will be expected to complete a significant critical paper, coupling secondary and primary research,
culminating in an argumentative essay. Graduate students will be expected to complete a seminar paper of a longer length.
Exams: There will be a midterm and a final consisting of some short answers, fill-ins, and passage identification. I will let you
know the format and scope of the tests well in advance of the test dates.
Performance: Occasionally, I will ask you to stage impromptu performances so as to help us visualize the staging of the plays.
Your participation and effort in these exercises will advance your commitment grade.
Commitment Grade
The commitment grade is like a participation grade except a little different. The commitment grade is based on several
things. (1) It is based on your attendance. This means that you should attend class. If you have more than three unexcused
absences, your commitment grade will be reduced. If you have a chronic attendance problem, this will not only affect your
commitment grade, but it will likely hurt your grade for the whole course. Simply, show up to class! Excused absences are
fine and will not hurt your grade. Please communicate with me. If I suspect that you are simply skipping class regularly, I
reserve the right to reduce your grade for the course. (2) I expect you to be prepared. This part of the grade is based on
coming to class prepared to answer questions related to the assigned reading for that day and with copies (paper or
electronic) of the readings handy for reference. (3) Be prepared with your daily discussion questions and by showing that
you have done the reading via the short quizzes.
In general commitment means being prepared to ask thoughtful questions that help me and other members of the class
understand what we don't yet understand. lt doesn't mean perfect mastery of the material on the first try. In other words:
PLEASE don't hesitate to ask and ask again when you are puzzled!
Grade Breakdown
Short Essay 5%
Commitment 15%
Midterm Exam 10%
Oral Report/Research 25%
Final Exam 20%
Final Essay 25%
Unexcused late assignments (final drafts) will receive a deduction of 20% each day they are late. (i.e. 90% becomes 70%). PLEASE
COMMUNICATE WITH ME IF YOU NEED MORE TIME!
I will not accept any plagiarized assignments. Using another person’s words or ideas without attribution is plagiarism. No credit will
be given for plagiarized work. If you borrow an idea or quote from another author, you must cite where you found the material.
Sources must be cited in handouts as well as in formal papers. I don't mind what form of citation you use as long as your citations
allow your reader to find your source easily. If you need help with creating citations or finding sources, please see me and I will be
glad to help. You will receive no credit for the assignment and repeat offenses may result in an F for the course.
Commitment to Inclusive Excellence
WSU recognizes that our individual differences can deepen our understanding of one another and the world around us, rather than
divide us. In this class, people of all ethnicities, genders, religions, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities, socioeconomic backgrounds,
regions, and nationalities are strongly encouraged to share their rich array of perspectives and experiences. If you feel your
differences may in some way isolate you from WSU’s community or if you have a need of any specific accommodations, please speak
with the instructor early in the semester about your concerns and what we can do together to help you become an active and
engaged member of our class and community.
January
Week One
10
Introduction
Cambridge Companion: “An Introduction to Medieval English Theatre” (see d2l)
12
Medieval Drama 3-72 (Liturgical Beginnings)
Material Culture & Medieval Drama 17-57
Week Two
19
Medieval Drama 75-121;
Week Three
24
Medieval Drama, 137-68
Compare with Douhy-Rheims text of Daniel (Chapters 1-5): http://drbo.org/chapter/32001.htm
Compare with Douhy-Rheims text on the raising of Lazarus (John 11): http://drbo.org/chapter/50011.htm
Compare with Aurea Legenda Vita of St. Paul http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/goldenlegend/GoldenLegendVolume2.htm#Conversion%20of%20S.%20Paul
LISTEN TO: performance of the Daniel play on d2l
26
Medieval Drama, 169-201
Compare with Aurea Legenda on St. Nicholas: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/goldenlegend/GL-vol2-nicholas.html
Ceremonies of the Christmas Season (see d2l)
Week Four
31
Medieval Drama, 227-257
Material Culture & Medieval Drama 1-15; 141-194
Technology, Guilds, & Early English Drama 1-15
☞ Report 1: Theories about the transition from earlier drama to cycle drama
Feb 2
Medieval Drama, 258-266
A Wycliffite Sermon Again Mystery Plays (see d2l)
Technology, Guilds, & Early English Drama 17-31
Cambridge Companion: “The Theatricality of Medieval English Plays” (see d2l)
Paper ONE due by Friday February 4
February
Week Five
7
CC: “The York Cycle” and “The Towneley Cycle”
Medieval Drama, 258-289
9
Medieval Drama 290-307
Material Culture & Medieval Drama 103-126
York Plays (see: The Shipwrights' Play: The Building of the Ark; The Fishers' and Mariners' Play: The Flood)
☞Report 2: Biblical and other sources of the Noah and Flood plays; treatment in other cycles
Week Six
14
Medieval Drama, 308-354
Week 7
21
York Plays: The Pewterers' and Founders' Play: Joseph's Trouble about Mary
The N-Town Plays: Play 15, the Nativity, TEAMS Middle English Text Series
(http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/sdnt15frm.htm)
Medieval Drama, 378-428
☞Report 3: Biblical and other sources of material in the nativity plays; treatment in other cycles
23
Medieval Drama, 437-459
The N-Town Plays (21. Christ and the Doctors; 22. Baptism)
Week 8
28
Medieval Drama, 460-476
The N-Town Plays (23. Parliament of Hell; Temptation)
☞Report 4: Biblical and other sources of the ministry and temptation plays; treatment in other cycles
Mar 2
Midterm
Spring Break
Week 9
14
York Plays ·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
The Skinners' Play: The Entry into Jerusalem
The Cutlers' Play: The Conspiracy
The Baxters' Play: The Last Supper
The Cordwainers' Play: The Agony in the Garden and the Betrayal
The Bowers and Fletchers' Play: Christ Before Annas and Caiaphas
The Tapiters' and Couchers' Play: Christ before Pilate I: The Dream of Pilate's Wife
The Liststers' Play: Christ Before Herod
The Cooks' and Waterleaders' Play: The Remorse of Judas
The Tilemakers' Play: Christ Before Pilate 2: The Judgement
16
York Plays: The Shearmen's Play: The Road to Calvary
Medieval Drama 569-593
Material Culture and Medieval Drama 75-102
Technology, Guilds, & Early English Drama 33-55
Week 10
21
Medieval Drama, 536-568
Excerpts from Beckwith’s Christ’s Body (TBA)
☞Report 5: Biblical and other sources of passion plays; treatment in other cycles
23
Medieval Drama 595-627
York Plays: · The Winedrawers' Play: Christ's Appearance to Mary Magdalen
· The Woolpackers' and Woolbrokers' Play: The Supper at Emmaus
· The Scriveners' Play: The Incredulity of Thomas
· The Tailors' Play: The Ascension
· The Potters' Play: Pentecost
Week 11
28
York Plays: · The Drapers' Play: The Death of the Virgin
· The Weavers' Play: The Assumption of the Virgin
· The Hostelers' Play: The Coronation of the Virgin
Technology, Guilds, & Early English Drama 57-79
30
Medieval Drama 637-658
Technology, Guilds, & Early English Drama 81-100
☞Report 6: Biblical and other sources of the Last Judgment; treatment in other cycles
April
Week 12
4
Medieval Drama, 661-686
CC: “Saints Plays” (see d2l)
6
Medieval Drama, 687-753
☞Report 7: Cult of Mary Magdalene in Britain
Week 13
11
Medieval Drama, 754-788
☞Report 8: Anti-Semitism in medieval England
13
Medieval Drama, 791-900
☞Report 9: Psychomachic allegory and the history of morality plays in Britain
Week 14
18
Medieval Drama, Mankind, 901-938
20
Medieval Drama, Everyman, 939-63
Week 15
25
Screening of Everyman
27
Medieval Drama, 967-989, 1029-1061
☞Report 10: School drama and other humanist drama
Turn in final paper; review; wrap up!
Final Exam