Medieval English Drama: 25 (Cultural History of Literature)

Book Details

• Publisher: Polity

• Author: K. Normington

• Language: English

• Edition: 1st Edition

• ISBN: 9780745636047

• Pages: 256

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.0 x 0.6 inches

About The Book

Medieval English Drama by K. Normington offers a fresh and insightful introduction to the dramatic and festive practices of late medieval England. The book emphasizes the importance of performance contexts during this period, when theatre was not confined to permanent buildings, but instead occurred in a variety of settings that had to compete for the attention of their audiences.

Normington brings to life the interplay between dramatic expression and everyday life, exploring performances in convents, churches, parishes, street processions, parades, and other public spaces. The author delves into both indoor and outdoor performances, highlighting the differences in audience expectations and the strategic manipulation of dramatic conventions to ensure audience engagement.

With a particular focus on the significance of the place of performance, the spectatorship of different audiences, and the unique conventions of medieval drama, this book is an invaluable guide for undergraduate students studying literature and medieval theatre. Its approachable writing style makes it an ideal resource for understanding the cultural and historical context of early English dramatic practices.