The Wakefield Master

Definition

The Wakefield Master is the name given to the anonymous playwright or group of playwrights responsible for a collection of medieval religious plays known as the Wakefield Cycle, which were performed in Wakefield, England. This body of work is significant for its vibrant storytelling, use of humor, and incorporation of local dialect, showcasing the transition from ecclesiastical to secular themes in medieval drama.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Wakefield Cycle includes notable plays such as 'The Second Shepherds' Play' and 'The Crucifixion,' highlighting key moments from the Bible.
2. The plays attributed to the Wakefield Master are known for their lively characters, engaging dialogue, and blend of humor with serious themes.
3. Written in Middle English, these plays reflect the local vernacular of the time, making them accessible and relatable to the audience.
4. The Wakefield Master's work represents a shift from purely didactic religious performances to more entertaining narratives that still convey spiritual messages.
5. The cycle was likely performed by local guilds or community groups during feast days, fostering a strong sense of local identity and religious devotion among participants.

Review Questions

• How does the Wakefield Master's use of humor in his plays enhance the storytelling within the Wakefield Cycle?
  • The Wakefield Master's use of humor serves to engage the audience and create a more relatable narrative that balances serious religious themes with light-hearted moments. For example, in 'The Second Shepherds' Play,' comedic elements provide relief from the heavier aspects of the Nativity story. This blending of humor with sacred themes reflects a broader trend in medieval drama where entertainment became a tool for conveying moral lessons, making spiritual teachings more approachable for audiences.
• Discuss the significance of the Wakefield Cycle in relation to the evolution of medieval drama, particularly concerning mystery and morality plays.
  • The Wakefield Cycle is significant because it exemplifies a transitional phase in medieval drama where mystery and morality plays began to intertwine. While mystery plays focused on biblical events and depicted divine truths, morality plays introduced characters representing moral allegories. The Wakefield Master's works incorporate both elements by portraying scriptural narratives with an emphasis on human experiences and moral lessons, thus reflecting a more complex understanding of faith that resonates with contemporary audiences.
• Evaluate the impact of regional dialect in the Wakefield Master's plays on the accessibility and reception of medieval drama among common audiences.
  • The incorporation of regional dialect in the Wakefield Master's plays significantly impacted their accessibility and reception among common audiences by allowing everyday people to connect with the material on a personal level. This choice helped demystify religious narratives that were typically presented in Latin or more formal English. By utilizing Middle English and local vernaculars, the Wakefield Master ensured that his plays resonated with local culture, making biblical stories relevant to ordinary lives and fostering greater community involvement in theatre as a form of worship and celebration.

Related terms

Wakefield Cycle: A collection of 32 medieval mystery plays that depict biblical stories and the lives of saints, originating from Wakefield, England.

Mystery Plays: Dramatic performances that convey biblical stories, often presented during religious festivals and rooted in the tradition of medieval European theatre.

Morality Plays: A genre of medieval drama that allegorizes moral lessons through characters representing virtues and vices, aimed at instructing audiences on ethical behavior.