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The Three Mary Plays

Publication at Central Library of Charles University, Faculty of Arts |
2013

Abstract

The title of the entry refers to several bilingual (Czech-Latin) Easter plays from 14th century whose chief characters are three Marys visiting Christ´s sepulchre. Apart from the central scene of the visit of the sepulchre and the annunciation of Christ´s resurrection, rooting from the liturgical Visitatio sepulchri play, the single versions of the plays included new scenes and characters related to the Easter resurrection story.

Within the new scenes composed in Czech verses the style of the later plays (the “Third Three Mary Play” and the so-called “Extended Three-Mary Play” becomes more profane (including even comic elements) contrasting thus with the serious and ceremonial tone of the Latin liturgical songs.