These dramas also served as a form of community bonding. People gathered to watch them, which created a sense of unity among the community members. Moreover, it educated the masses about the Bible in an engaging way, as compared to just reading religious texts which was difficult for most people due to illiteracy.
They increased religious knowledge among the people. Since not everyone could read the Bible, these plays were a visual and auditory way to learn about religious stories.
The staging was rather simple yet symbolic. For example, the use of minimal props to represent different elements from the biblical stories. The characters were often types rather than fully developed individuals, like the figure of Christ being portrayed as a symbol of salvation. And the language used was a mix of the vernacular and some religious Latin phrases to make it accessible to the common people while maintaining a sense of religious solemnity.
These stories influenced medieval society in many ways. First, they led to changes in the economy. With a large number of deaths, there was a shortage of labor, which in turn led to changes in wages and working conditions. Second, in the social aspect, the stories made people more superstitious as they tried to find reasons for the plague. And third, in the religious field, it made some people question their faith as they couldn't understand why God would allow such a terrible thing to happen.
Medieval erotic stories often reflected the social hierarchies. For example, in many tales, the noble characters' love and sexual encounters were depicted in a more refined or courtly way compared to the commoners. The noble's relationships were sometimes about power and alliances as well as love. This showed how society was stratified.
They can inspire religious devotion. For those who are religious, hearing the familiar biblical stories in the form of an oratorio can strengthen their faith. The music adds an emotional depth to the story, making it more impactful.
Medieval stories influenced modern literature in many ways. For example, the themes of chivalry from Arthurian legends have been used in modern fantasy novels. The character archetypes like the hero, the villain, and the damsel in distress from medieval stories are still used today.
Civil war love stories influenced society by showing the power of human connection in the midst of chaos. They gave hope to people that love could survive even during the harshest times of war.
Films based on biblical stories can have a profound influence on modern audiences. For one, they can provide a sense of moral and spiritual guidance. For example, a film like 'The Ten Commandments' can remind people of the basic moral laws. They also can increase cultural awareness. Many people may not be familiar with the details of biblical stories, and these films can introduce them to a significant part of Western culture. Additionally, they can be a source of inspiration, like 'The Passion of the Christ' which can make people think about sacrifice and redemption.
It was used for indoctrination. The ideas in Nazi science fiction seeped into the minds of the public, making them more accepting of the Nazi regime's extreme views. People were exposed to the idea of Aryan superiority in a 'fictional' yet somewhat believable context of science and technology, which made it easier for the Nazis to promote real - life discriminatory policies.
Old medieval stories have had a huge impact on modern literature. For example, the themes of heroism and quest from King Arthur's legends are often used in modern fantasy novels. Writers like J.R.R. Tolkien was inspired by these elements.