After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 600s AD, came a period known to us as the DARK AGES.

1
(No Transcript)
2

• After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 600s
  AD, came a period known to us as the DARK AGES.

• The Church became the only stable government.

3
Social Systems were set up during this time
Serfs (peasants), Knights, Lords, etc.
Almost all Medieval art, such as paintings and
music, centered on religious subjects.
This was because the church became a major force
in the lives of the people at this time.
4
EXAMPLES OF MEDIEVAL ART
5
(No Transcript)
6
The church disapproved of performing and visual
arts that took subjects other than the Bible
stories of their focus.
They believed that drama was vulgar and evil
(remember ROMAN THEATRE?)
The church, eventually, got rid of drama.
But after a number of years, the church had to
bring back drama.
WHY???
7
The church had little choice in re-introducing
drama It couldnt stop the PAGAN rites (pagans
where people who did not acknowledge the God of
Christianity). REMEMBER POLYTHEISM from Social
Studies? REMEMBER, Greeks and Romans were Pagan
worshippers and the church was still fighting
those religions and trying to bring them to
Christianity.
8
Churches started to dramatize EASTER. This,
eventually, led to Christmas, the Raising of
Lazarus and the Driving of the Money Changers
From The Temple.
Thus, the whole story of the life and death and
resurrection of Jesus could be presented in
dialogue in the church for the enlightenment of
the ignorant population in the dark ages.
9
One type of play performed was a MORALITY PLAY.
Morality plays characters are personification
of good and evil in a struggle for mans soul.
They were used to teach morals or lessons to
the common people.
10
(No Transcript)
11
(No Transcript)
12
MEDIEVAL DRAMA NOTES
1. Church was in absolute power during the
medieval period (middle ages). ALL ART FORMS HAD
TO BE RELIGIOUS BASED.
2. Morality plays plays intended to teach moral
lessons to the common people.
characters are personification of good and evil
in a struggle for mans soul.
3. The main theme of Medieval Drama GOOD
REWARDED EVIL PUNISHED!!