A major study of the mystery plays of medieval England, focusing on the function of their speech and dramatic form.

Introduction; Part I. The Foil: Latin Church Drama: 1. Liturgy and drama; 2. Liturgical point of view surrounding the dramatic core dialogue; 3. 'World-containing' situations; 4. The dramatization of narrative sources; Part II. The English Mystery Play: 5. The origins of the Mystery Play and its stage; 6. The representation of time and space in the cycles; 7. Address to the audience; 8. Intra-dramatic speeches; 9. Conclusions; Bibliography.