The Second Sheppards Play Analysis

The Second Sheppards’ Play in essence sets out to provide audiences with a deeper understanding of religious content, specifically the birth of Christ in this case; however, it de-familiarizes the understandably common story with bouts of humor and unusual character sketches. The opening lines of the drama in particular immediately makes this clear, as the Sheppards are portrayed as bitter, cold men quick to complain. These opening lines do more than just give audiences a quick view of the three men’s characters though. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the drama and make the switch to the more biblical ending of the story bolder, they provide a common understanding with and connection to the audience, they justify Mak’s later
However, one more thing of importance comes from the opening lines; it aids in understanding a later parallel. The Sheppards would not be in the specific situation they are were they not been guarding their sheep. They care for the sheep but as the first Sheppard states “thus live we in pain, anger, and woe” (40) and they do not hesitate to complain about the situation. Further on in the story, there is a parallel made between baby Jesus being swaddled and a sheep being swaddled. This initial complaint of the Sheppards, due to the sheep, can be compared to their adoration of the baby Jesus “Hail, darling, full of godhead” (728) later in the story and shows that although the drama creates a single parallel between Jesus and the sheep, there is a definite divide between the two in other aspects. Even though the opening lines could easily be overlooked, as they initially seem to have no significance to the play as a whole, they play a critical role in the drama to set the tone and the ability to separate the play into phases, they create a common understanding with the audience and justify characters actions, and they serve to clarify parallels made later in the