The Second Shepherds Play Quiz

Shepherds' Complaints and Characters

• Coll, the first shepherd, complains about the poor weather and his financial struggles.
• He blames the lords for his hardships.
• Coll consoles himself by shifting blame onto others.
• All three shepherds—Coll, Gib, and Daw—voice complaints primarily about the weather, leading to insights about their challenging lives.
• The shepherds are depicted as overworked, hungry, cold, and impoverished.

Mak and Jill's Scheme

• Mak enters pretending to be a yeoman, showcasing his deceitful character as a conman.
• He and his wife Jill plot to disguise a stolen sheep as their baby by hiding it in a cradle.
• The idea to disguise the sheep originates from Jill, who exhibits cleverness and forward-thinking.
• Jill views her husband Mak as unintelligent and unreliable, while she sees her own advice as valuable and perceptive.

The Dream and Accusations

• Daw dreams that Mak is stealing sheep, symbolizing intuition about the theft.
• Mak warns Jill that when the shepherds count their sheep, they will quickly deduce one is missing and search for him.
• Jill plans to distract the shepherds by feigning distress when they arrive, to keep the sheep hidden.

Exposure and Consequences

• Daw accuses Mak first when suspicions arise about the missing sheep.
• The couple’s plan is ultimately revealed when Daw uncovers the sheep, mistaking it for a baby.
• Mak confesses his guilt only after being confronted and threatened with punishment.
• The shepherds punish Mak by tossing him in a blanket as a form of retribution.

The Angel's Message and Journey

• An angel awakens the shepherds, directing them to Bethlehem to find baby Jesus and Mary.
• As they travel, they reflect on the beauty of the angel's message and song.
• They bring gifts to the newborn, including cherries, a ball, and a toy bird, reflecting their humble status and appropriateness for a child.

Origins and Development of Western Drama

• The second birth of Western Drama began in churches, with choirs of monks celebrating religious festivals through dramatic performances.
• Monks dramatized key stories of Christianity, creating engaging, dramatic versions of biblical narratives.
• Plays were performed on carts resembling parade floats, facilitating movement and staging.
• Well-educated priests authored these plays, while the productions were carried out by amateur performers, often reflecting their specific trades.