And because the
>plays are largely on Biblical subjects, it seems that some readers would
>adopt habits of Biblical exegesis in pondering them. What I'm pondering
>regarding some 12th-century plays (and may extend to vernacular Biblical
>plays of later centuries) is the possibility that exegetical method
>influenced their composition and construction. That is, I'm wondering if
>plays' dramaturgical frameworks and invented dialogue were so designed as
>to invite particular allegorial readings from proficient audiences.
You will I am sure be familiar with the Middle English Chester Cycle. After
each pageant a "Doctor" or "Expositor" explains the signification of what
the audience has just seen. There is a particularly interesting example
after the play of Abraham and Isaac:
Here the Docter [sic] saythe:
EXPOSITOR:
Lordinges, this significatyon
of this deede of devotyon -
and yee will, yee wytt mon -
may torne you to myche good.
This deede yee seene done here in this place,
in example of Jesus done yt was,
that for to wynne mankinde grace
was sacrifyced one the roode.
[Sirs, the significance of this deed of devotion - you can understand it, if
you will - may do you much good. This deed which you have seen done here
(the sacrifice of Isaac) was done as an example of Jesus, who was sacrificed
on the cross to win grace for mankind]
By Abraham I may understand
the Father of heaven that cann fonde
with his Sonnes blood to breake that bonde
that the dyvell had broght us to.
By Isaak understande I maye
Jesus that was obedyent aye,
his Fathers will to worke alwaye
and death for to confounde.
[By Abraham I understand God the Father of heaven, who was able with his
Son's blood to break the bonds into which the devil had brought us. By
Isaac I understand Jesus who was always obedient to do his Father's will and
to put an end to death]
The play itself has been a presentation of the "literal sense" of the
scriptural story, and now the expositor has expounded the "typological
sense" - Abraham is a type of God the Father, Isaac a type of God the Son.
But the exposition is not ended yet:
Here lett the Doctor kneele downe and saye:
Such obedyence grante us, O lord,
ever to thy moste holye worde;
that in the same wee may accorde
as this Abraham was beyne.
[Grant us, O Lord, such obedience to thy holy word that we may accord with
it as Abraham did]
This is the "moral" or "tropological" sense - the story inculcates the
virtue of obedience. The Doctor then concludes:
And then altogether shall wee
that worthye king in heaven see,
and dwell with him in great glorye
for ever and ever. Amen.
[And then we shall altogether see that worthy king in heaven, and dwell with
him in great glory for ever and ever.]
This is the "anagogical sense"; it leads us up to heaven and to the
beatific vision.
[Early English Text Society, SS3, p. 78]
The Supple Doctor.
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