Contrary Marys in medieval English and French drama
By: Elizabeth A. Witt.
Series: Studies in the humanities,; v. 17; Studies in the humanities (New York, N.Y.) ;; v. 17.
Publisher: P. Lang; Lang GmbH, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften, Peter
Published: 1995
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 196
Subjects: Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint -- In literature; Mysteries and miracle-plays, English -- History and criticism; Mysteries and miracle-plays, French -- History and criticism; Christian drama, English (Middle) -- History and criticism; Christian drama, French -- History and criticism; English drama -- To 1500 -- History and criticism; French drama -- To 1500 -- History and criticism; Literature, Comparative -- English and French; Literature, Comparative -- French and English
Description: Although the medieval church encouraged women to emulate the Virgin Mary, images of Mary in late medieval religious drama make such emulation problematic. This study examines two seemingly contradictory depictions of Mary found in English cycle dramas and French Passion plays, and demonstrates how both can restrict women. In the English plays, Mary's near divinity is impossible to imitate, while the French plays depict a weak woman, one hardly worth emulating.

This study shows that opposing views of Mary can reinforce identical social and religious ideas about women and serve to preserve patriarchal power.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [169]-183) and index.