EVERYMAN AND MEDIEVAL MIRACLE PLAYS

EVERYMAN AND MEDIEVAL MIRACLE PLAYS
Author: A.C. Cawley
Publisher: J.M. Dent & Sons
Edition: 1974 Edition
Pages: 266
Size: 4.5 inch × 6.5 inch
Binding: Paperback

Everyman and Medieval Miracle Plays is a richly curated anthology edited by A.C. Cawley, offering readers an illuminating window into the spiritual and theatrical landscape of medieval England. First published by J.M. Dent & Sons, this 1974 edition spans 266 pages and features a selection of dramatic works that once captivated audiences in churches, market squares, and town guild productions.

This compact yet comprehensive volume includes some of the most significant surviving examples of morality and miracle plays, with Everyman serving as a cornerstone of medieval drama. These plays were designed to instruct and inspire, using allegorical characters and biblical narratives to present moral struggles and divine interventions in ways that were emotionally powerful and accessible to the lay public.

Cawley’s editorial guidance is both scholarly and approachable, offering introductions and contextual commentary that help modern readers appreciate the plays’ cultural and religious significance. The volume not only includes Everyman, but also notable miracle plays like The Second Shepherd’s Play, The Sacrifice of Isaac, and The Crucifixion, showcasing the range of medieval English religious theatre—from humble humor to harrowing spiritual drama.

The plays are presented in modernized spelling while preserving their original poetic rhythms and linguistic richness. This careful balance ensures that contemporary readers can engage with the texts without losing the flavor of their medieval origins.

The book’s handy 4.5 by 6.5 inch size makes it ideal for students, performers, or general readers with an interest in medieval literature, theatre history, or Christian allegory. Whether read for pleasure, study, or performance, this volume offers a timeless look into the devotional and dramatic traditions that shaped pre-modern English culture.

• 🎭 Includes classic morality and miracle plays like Everyman and The Second Shepherd’s Play

• 📜 Provides insight into medieval religious and theatrical traditions

• ✍️ Edited with contextual introductions and modernized spelling by A.C. Cawley

• 📘 Ideal for students, scholars, and theatre enthusiasts

• 🔍 Explores themes of faith, sin, redemption, and divine judgment

• 📏 Compact 4.5 × 6.5 inch paperback format perfect for study and travel