In Mystery plays, the 'Harrowing of Hell' depicts Christ doing what?
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Correct answer: Descending into hell to release the souls of the righteous
The 'Harrowing of Hell' was a popular dramatic subject based on the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus. It showed Christ breaking the gates of hell and leading out biblical figures like Adam, Eve, and Moses.
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More Mystery and Morality Plays questions
- Which character in 'The Castle of Perseverance' represents the location where the soul is protected from the Seven Deadly Sins?
- What is the 'York Realist' known for in the study of Mystery cycles?
- In 'The Second Shepherds' Play,' what gift do the shepherds give to the Christ child at the end?
- How did the staging of 'The Castle of Perseverance' differ from the typical street procession of the York Cycle?
- Which character archetype in medieval drama often addressed the audience directly to explain the play's moral or threaten them with hell?
- Which of the following describes the 'Digby Mary Magdalene'?