Theater of the Word: Selfhood in the English Morality Play

In Theater of the Word: Selfhood in the English Morality Play, Julie Paulson explores medieval constructions of the self within a sacramental culture, examining the morality play as a "theater of the word" that addresses the question of what it means to be human.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2019
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

In her groundbreaking work, "The Theater of the Word: Selfhood in the English Morality Play," Julie Paulson delves into the intricate tapestry of medieval constructions of the self, unveiling their profound connection to a sacramental culture. Through a comprehensive examination of the medieval morality play, a genre that explicitly explores the essence of human existence, Paulson uncovers the rich ritual traditions of confession and penance, long intertwined with the interiority of the medieval world. As the primary subject matter of these theatrical performances, the morality play takes up the challenge of defining what it means to be human, employing allegorical storytelling to convey its message.

This captivating form of drama follows a penitential progression, wherein an everyman figure embarks on a journey of sin and redemption. Set during a period of reform when the ritual practices of the medieval Church were being scrutinized, the morality plays assert the primacy of a self that is first and foremost performed. It is constructed, articulated, and known through a tapestry of ritual and communal performances that were intricately woven into the fabric of medieval life.

"The Theater of the Word" offers a profound exploration of the morality play genre, captivating scholars of medieval drama and those intrigued by late medieval culture, sacramentalism, penance, confession, the history of the self, and theater and performance. By shedding new light on these ancient theatrical expressions, Paulson provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of medieval selfhood.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268104627