The Sainthood of Mary Magdalene

Through out history, Mary Magdalene, has been both shamed and glorified. The history on Mary herself is filled with strife and misfourtune, until the day she meets Jesus. Mary was ""was born of ryght noble lygnange and parentis" and "habounded in rychesses." (Coletti 345). Although Mary was born of noble blood, along the way she was cast out among her fellow man. It wasn't until Christ came that people began to think of er as human again. She was just the woman with seven demons in her before Jesus cast them out. It was her devotion and redemption that has made her the Saint she is today. She is now worshiped and seen as a guide to those who have lost their way. She represents the capacity of God to forgive. She is still worshiped today in the Catholic Church, and is held as a Spiritually Powerful Saint.

Work Cited:

Coletti, Theresa. "AmericaPaupertas Est Donum Dei: Hagiography, Lay Religion, and the Economics of Salvation in TheDigby Mary Magdalene." Print. Rpt. in Speculum. 2nd ed. Vol. 76. Medeival Acadamy of America. 337-78. Print.

Significance of Mary Magdalene

Through out history, there has always been the mystery of Mary Magdalene. In the Bible, Mary is seen as a prostitute and unworthy of the graces of God. Although she is cast out, it is she that Christ reveals himself to when he is resurrected, in the bible he states, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" John 20:17 (The Bible).


There has been recent theories that Mary Magdalene was important to Christ because she was his wife and barer of his children. The book, the Di Vinci Code, helped to spun on the belief that this was true. Although there is no real evidence to suggest it, the Significant of Mary Magdalene never changes. She was a faithful woman who love Christ with all he hearts and therefore, Christ first appeared to her.

Work Cited:


The Bible, The New Living Translation. Web. 8 Dec. 2010. <http://bibleresources.bible.com/keywordsearchresults.php?multiplemethod=all&numpageresults=25&select=searchBible&keyword=mary+magdalene&Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0&version=51>.

Special Effects in York Plays

When it comes to the time period, the use of special effects whas not as advanced as we have it today. When poeple were doing these plays, they had to use what was around for them to use. In the crusificaton of Jesus for example, poeple used a thorn crown treated with animal blood, to create the effect of bleeding on the actor (Special Effects).

The use of a turntable was also used in order to have a dummy be placed as Jesus, for the actual stabbing and killing of Christ. Although the types of special effects were lacking, for the time period, these effects helped to create the scene of the play and tell the story as it needed to be told.

Work Cited:

"Special Effects: A History." Tabula Rasa: Writing, History and Horror. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://www.tabula-rasa.info/DarkAges/SpecialEffects.html>.

Historical Apperance of Jesus

In the Winedrawers play: Christ's appearance to Mary Magdalene, Christ is seen as a beautiful supreme being. In the play he has just been born again and is revealing himself to Mary Magdalene. She states, " Oh, loveliest one in every land, As you shaped both day and night, Bright-shining sun, and moon in your hand, Grant me the grace to have a sight," (Winedrawers). In all historical documents, Christs is revealed as a shining beacon to the people. He is shining and has a light about him that is not understood.

When Playing this part in the play, The use of certain elements is suggested. Illuminating the character of Christ will help the subject of the play. Using elements to create that glow on the actor are essential to playing this part correctly. As for the costume of Jesus, the use of the stereotypical white robe with blue sash is the best at telling who the actor is, without actually revealing it.


Work Cited:

"The Winedrawers' Play: Christ's Appearance to Mary Magdalene." Blackboard Learn. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <https://courses.cwu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_4_1&url=/webapps/blackboard/execute/launcher?type=Course&id=_56297_1&url=>.

Medieval Makeup

The use of makeup in the middle ages was considered a sin. Since the church basically controlled the way things were run, anything giving focus to a woman was a sin. It was much better to be natural and showing your inner beauty, as seen in the picture above.

When the use of makeup was finally accepted, at the turn of the century, the women of the time went overboard. Women of the time period layered it so think it looked like plaster ("The Use...").

Work cited:

"The Use of Medieval Makeup in the 17th Century." SearchYourLove. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://www.syl.com/hb/theuseofmedievalmakeupinthe17thcentury.html>.

Clothing of the time

In the time period, the use of colors were very important. Women wore clothing that covered the whole of their bodies. They believed in modestly and chasteness. Often seen were women who wore long single colored dresses that covered their whole legs and full arms (High, Web). The only part of the dress that might be left to be somewhat seen is the chest and slight cleavage. 

In the picture shown, it is seen that the all women are wearing modest clothing of bright colors of the time. Most have their chest covered although some have that being revealed as well.

Work Cited:

Medieval Women. Photograph. High Middle Ages Dress. Web. 8 Dec. 2010. <http://www.zeitlerweb.com/midages.htm>.

"High Middle Ages Dress." Zeitler Web. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://www.zeitlerweb.com/midages.htm>.

Pigments during the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, many different pigments were used to create clothing. Most of the pigments used were more rustic, and had more natural tones. The pigments used were made out of minerals, and therefore had that more natural color. Colors such as red ochre, yellow ochre, umber and lime white (Pigment). Many of there colors were used in paintings. The red pigments were more common because of their warmth and rich color.

Many versions of greens were used during this time as well. Some of these colors were Malachite, Verdigris as well as ultramarine, which was a blue commonly used during the time period.

Work Cited:

"Pigments through the Ages - Medieval Age (500-1400)." Webexhibits. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://www.webexhibits.org/pigments/intro/medieval.html>.