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 ...
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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.
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Add this copy of Contrary Marys in Medieval English and French Drama: 17 to cart. $54.84, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1995 by Peter Lang Publishing Inc.
Edition:
1995, Peter Lang Inc., International Academic Publishers
