Questions and Answers
What does the first shepherd Coll complain about?
The weather and how he is poor
Whom does Coll blame for his situation?
The lords
How does Coll console himself?
Blaming others
What does the second shepherd, Gib, complain about?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the third shepherd, Daw, complain about?
Signup and view all the answers
What do we learn about the shepherds' lives from their complaints?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Mak try to do when he first enters the scene?
Signup and view all the answers
What does this indicate about Mak's character?
Signup and view all the answers
What do Mak and Jill decide to do with the stolen sheep?
Signup and view all the answers
Who thought of the idea to hide the sheep?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe Jill.
Signup and view all the answers
What seems to be Jill's opinion of her husband Mak?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Jill's opinion of herself?
Signup and view all the answers
Which shepherd dreams of Mak's theft?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Mak tell Jill the shepherds will do when they count their sheep?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Jill say she will do when the shepherds arrive at their house?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is the first to accuse Mak?
Signup and view all the answers
How is the plan of Mak and Jill finally exposed?
Signup and view all the answers
When does Mak confess his guilt?
Signup and view all the answers
How do the shepherds punish Mak?
Signup and view all the answers
Who wakes up the shepherds in scene 7?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the angel's message?
Signup and view all the answers
What do the shepherds talk about as they walk to Bethlehem?
Signup and view all the answers
What gifts do the shepherds bring?
Signup and view all the answers
In what ways are these gifts typical of the gift-givers?
Signup and view all the answers
Where did the second birth of Western Drama begin?
Signup and view all the answers
Who celebrated religious feasts and festivals?
Signup and view all the answers
Who dramatizes the events of certain stories of Christianity?
Signup and view all the answers
What versions of the Bible stories were made?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the structure of the play stage?
Signup and view all the answers
Who wrote these dramatic plays?
Signup and view all the answers
Who made the productions?
Signup and view all the answers
Men of specific trade made productions related to their...
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge on 'The Second Shepherds Play' with this quiz. Answer questions based on the characters' complaints and interactions. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of medieval literature.