Lanterna Rally

Author: Chester N. Scoville

Publisher:

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

Much past criticism of character in Middle English drama has fallen into one of two roughly defined positions: either that early drama was to be valued as an example of burgeoning realism as demonstrated by its villains and rascals, or that it was didactic and stylized, meant primarily to teach doctrine to the faithful. This thesis argues, however, that the primary purpose of Middle English biblical plays was neither of these. This thesis is both an argument for and a demonstration of the proposition that the saints in Middle English biblical plays serve as rhetors whose task is to persuade the audience to see itself as a community of faith. Using concepts from classical and medieval rhetoric, and certain ideas from modern reader-response theory, this thesis explores the methods of characterization and persuasion used in portrayals of Thomas the apostle, Mary Magdalene, Joseph the foster-father of Christ, and Paul the apostle. This series of case studies shows that the authors of the plays, though aware of the morally ambiguous nature of their dramatic and linguistic tools, nonetheless used all the means of persuasion at their disposal to create a compelling, interactive, and affective experience for their audiences, with the purpose of moving the audience to a position of sympathy and communion with the saints and with the god they serve.