York Mystery Plays: Selection in Modern Spelling

by RichardBeadle (Editor), PamelaM.King (Editor)

• Used

  Paperback
  1984

  $5.15

  This volume collects twenty-two of the forty-seven extant pageants that make up York's famous Corpus Christi cycle, including six by the York Realist. Chosen on the basis of literary and dramatic merit, as well as to give an idea of the scope and nature of the cycle, the plays are augmented by useful explanatory headnotes, running glossaries on each page, and a general introduction.

• Used

  Paperback
  1995

  $5.16

  This volume offers 22 of the central pageants which make up York's famous Corpus Christi cycle. The York cycle is the oldest and best-known of the English mystery cycles, and its depth and scope are reflected in the selection printed here. The shape of the cycle was governed by subject matter of enduring spiritual significance, both to its contemporary audience and in later literary and artistic tradition, and the selection reflects these concerns. Included are plays on the Creation, the Fall of Man, the Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ, and the Last Judgement. The Passion sequence has been expanded by six of the eight plays generally attributed to the great poetic dramatist known as the York Realist: the authentic text of these plays is not otherwise available in paperback. As well as providing detailed annotation, this edition offers an introduction which examines the history of the cycle and discusses the immensely popular modern productions in York and elsewhere. This book is intended for students of medieval drama.