Patterns of Divine Comedy: A Study of Medieval English Drama - Hardcover

Jack, R.D.S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0859912817 ISBN 13: 9780859912815

Publisher: D.S. Brewer, 1989

Synopsis

This is the first book to explore medieval dramatic comedy with an understanding of its real aims, generic coherence and structural patterns, and to apply to it the critical principle commonly found in any assessment of classicalor renaissance drama. The miracle cycles and early morality plays are examined in the context of the medieval understanding of comedy, the contemporary allegorical vision of the world, and the prevailing theological conception of time. This approch explains how medieval comedy contains the material of history and tragedy while still remaining joyous. It also illuminates the place of laughter in divine comedy; in his extended treatment of this topicProfessor Jack shows how some comic techniques have been obscured by too resolutely Christian an interpretation, and how others were more subtly employed due to their spiritual context.

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Review

`a valuable contribution for those more concerned with the conflict between comedy and religion in the medieval Church.' Sandra Billington, THEATRE NOTEBOOK 1990, XLIV, 2`a landmark in critical evaluation both of the innovative qualities and the enduring appeal of medieval religious drama.<>.<>.unlikely to be surpassed this century.' MODERN LANGUAGE REVIEW/ybk? 4/91

Edition details

• Publisher: D.S. Brewer
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0859912817
• ISBN 13: 9780859912815
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 188