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How did Medieval Theatre Start?

The earliest records of Medieval Theatre date back to 900 AD and have been found mostly in England. Some historians even believe that Medieval Theatre dates back to the Romans. During the Dark Ages, the art form slowly began to develop but was highly influenced by the church and Christianity itself. However, a variety of other factors also contributed to the beginning of Medieval Theatre.

First, there were a number of changes that were happening in society that created a greater demand for entertainment. These changes included the growth of cities and the rise of the merchant class. More and more people were beginning to have the leisure time and the money to spend on entertainment. Additionally, with the rise of Christianity and the decline of the Roman Empire, the power and influence of the Church had increased. The Church used theatre as a way to spread its religious messages and morals, and this was a major driving force behind the growth of theatre in the Middle Ages.

Second, there were also a number of technological advances that made theatre more possible and more popular. These advances included the development of the stage, the theatre building, and the movable set. The stage allowed performers to be raised up above the audience, which made them easier to see and hear. The theatre building provided a dedicated space for performances, which made them more accessible to the public. The movable set allowed for different scenes to be quickly and easily created, which made the performances more varied and interesting.

Finally, there was a growing interest in the arts and learning in the Middle Ages. This interest was reflected in the development of new forms of theatre, such as the mystery plays, the morality plays, and the farces. Mystery plays were based on stories from the Bible, while morality plays were allegorical stories that taught moral lessons. Farces were comedies that often satirized the social and political conditions of the time.

All of these factors contributed to the growth and popularity of Medieval Theatre and ultimately led to the flourishing of the art form in the Middle Ages.

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