Medieval Afterlives

Medieval afterlives presents ten new essays which examine the ways traditions of early drama were transformed over time, as well as the inherent capability of the traditions themselves to transform space, audience, time, and belief. The collection, which includes an afterword by Theresa Coletti, is unique in its focus on the dramaturgical and cultural traditions that shaped and were shaped by early English drama until the closing of the theatres in 1642. Framing its argument in terms of traditions, this collection moves beyond the biases imposed by period categories, thereby addressing the continuities of early English drama that persisted in the face of cultural and religious change. The essays demonstrate that, alongside textual records, it is also crucial to look at other physical traces of past theatre traditions, including evidence of embodied memory, non-literary sources and the acknowledgement of audience memory. In so doing, it seeks to refine and deepen our understanding of the richness of early English drama: its copiousness, versatility, and playfulness.