In this comprehensive study, Karl von Hase traces the evolution of Christian drama from its early origins in medieval Europe to the Renaissance and beyond. Drawing on a wealth of primary sources, Hase provides a fascinating look at the development of one of the most enduring forms of theatrical expression. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Excerpt from Miracle Plays and Sacred Dramas True Protestantism, as he more than once reminds us, has affinities with the highest forms of culture. This is abundantly proved by Professor Hase's own writings. He has the same regard for the poetry and devotion of the Middle Ages as the inhabitants of Protestant Nuremberg for their own ancient and beautiful churches. The monuments of Catholic art hold their place undisturbed, and are cherished with a reverent care for which in Catholic countries we often look in vain. The work may be said to consist of two portions. The first half sketches the rise and decline of the mysteries and miracle plays, i.e., of the religious drama properly so called; the second half traces the effect of the religious play on later dramatic literature in France, Germany, and Spain, and concludes with a general criticism of the relations between the Church and the Stage. The English reader will hardly find elsewhere so comprehensive a summary as is comprised in the first two Lectures. Professor Hase has presented us with a general view of the religious drama of the Middle Ages, and he has executed his task not as a mere compiler, but as an independent inquirer in whom literary taste and knowledge are combined. He has given details enough to convey a vivid impression of the different parts of the subject, while he has kept strictly within the limits of a general survey. The notes printed at the end of the volume, which have an interest for the general reader as well as for students, sufficiently show the learning which has been devoted to the composition of the work. Of the remaining Lectures, those on the later dramas of Spain and on Hans Sachs and Lessing will perhaps be most attractive to the English reader. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.