The miracle play : medieval and modern

"The purpose of the present study is to investigate one of these three types,--the miracle play. It is the aim of the thesis to study typical examples of the medieval miracle and the entire list, so far as possible, of modern specimens; to compare the miracle play of the two periods in a number of ways; and finally to attempt an estimate of the place and significance of the new form for modern drama and modern literature. At once the need arises of a preliminary definition and discrimination of the different medieval types, and a classification in various ways of the plays to be studied."