A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 06

This volume brings together five early English dramas that sit at the crossroads of medieval moral‑plays and the emerging tragedy and comedy of the Elizabethan stage. Produced by a team of scholars and presented with extensive footnotes, the collection offers modern listeners clear explanations of archaic language, stage conventions, and the historical background of each work. The plays are arranged chronologically, letting you hear the evolution of early modern theatre as it unfolded.

Among the works, a 1575 piece dramatizes the legendary story of Appius and Virginia, intertwining recognizable historical figures with allegorical personifications of virtues and vices, creating a lively mix of fact and fable. Another standout, a 1581 drama called “The Conflict of Conscience,” opens with a striking monologue by a character embodying Satan, followed by a cast of personified sins that challenge a minister’s resolve. Listeners will experience the unique flavor of a stage tradition that balances moral instruction with theatrical entertainment.