A Reevaluation of the Croxton Play of the Sacrament
Graduation Date
Fall 1968
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Document Form
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Degree Granting Institution
Catholic University of America
Program Name
Humanities
Abstract
The purpose of this paper, then, is to reevaluate the Play of the Sacrament using the text to answer criticism which has been generally unfavorable. The majority of critics find a lack of moral purpose in the play due to an abundance of the grotesque. However, the presence of so much Christian Doctrine, particularly in the banns and throughout the third part of the play, indicates a definite moral purpose on the part of the dramatist. I suggest that the combination of grotesque and Christian elements reflects a particular technique of the dramatist. This technique is the presentation of a moral lesson styled to suit the taste of a fifteenth century audience whose religion contained an admixture of credulous beliefs and grotesque levity.