THEA 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Cumorah, Mystery Play, Morality Play
Document Summary
Theater has long been associated with ritual and religion. The earliest evidence we have of theater goes back to african ritual and storytelling. Noted for colorful costumes and masks, these ceremonies would have actors dressed oten as animal spirits or key religious igures and included music and dance. Told the story of the god osiris and his son horus. Osiris married his sister isis, murdered by his brother, isis recovered osiris long enough to conceive a son. Osiris descended to the underworld, and horus being defeated, he set for egypt"s throne. This myth would be acted out as a passion play; some scholars believe there would be volunteer actors who would be killed on stage. Ancient greek plays are largely focus on mans relaionship with the gods. As the gods of greek pantheon are moody, it behooved the greeks to keep them pleased. Dionysus is known as the god of ferility and wine.
