Die Kunst des Dialogs in den Wakefield-Spielen

Published in 1980 by Peter Lang, this scholarly monograph examines the linguistic and rhetorical structures of the Wakefield Mystery Plays, a cycle of medieval religious dramas originating from 15th-century England. Dieter M. Schmidt’s work emerged from a tradition of German philological study that sought to analyze the transition from liturgical performance to vernacular theatrical art, focusing specifically on how the Wakefield Master utilized dialogue to balance theological instruction with dramatic engagement.

The book serves as a rigorous academic inquiry into the stylistic choices that define the Wakefield cycle, particularly the Master’s innovative use of colloquialism and character development. As a specialized title within Lang’s series on European university publications, it was intended for researchers and students of Middle English literature. It reflects the meticulous, context-heavy approach of 20th-century European literary criticism, prioritizing formal analysis of the text's internal mechanics over broader cultural speculation.