Full Description
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.
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Contents
The Barkers - The Fall of Angels ; The Coopers - The Fall of Man ; The Shipwrights - The Building of the Ark ; The Fishers and Mariners - The Flood ; The Hosiers - Moses and Pharaoh ; The Pewterers and Founders - Joseph's Trouble about Mary ; The Tilethatchers - The Nativity ; The Masons; The Goldsmiths - Herod and The Magi ; The Marshals - The Flight into Egypt ; The Girdlers and Nailers - The Slaughter of the Innocents ; The Smiths - The Temptation ; The Skinners - The Entry into Jerusalem ; The Cutlers - The Conspiricy ; The Bowers and Fletchers - Christ before Annas and Caiaphas ; The Tapiters and Couchers - Christ before Pilate ; The Litsters - Christ before Herod ; The Tilemakers - Christ before Pilate (2) ; The Pinners - The Crucifixion ; The Butchers - The Death of Christ ; The Saddlers - The Harrowing of Hell ; The Carpenters - The Resurrection ; The Mercers - The Last Judgement
