BACKGROUND

​

Originally dating from the 15th century, as part of the Chester cycle, The Coming of Antichrist also appears in a separate manuscript, showing that it was performed by itself.  It is the version from that manuscript—now in a library in Wales and first published in the 19th century—that is the basis of our text.  We have modernized the text somewhat, making decisions when to promote understanding over poetics.  However, our play today takes us away from reality into a mystic realm where miracles happen.
 

Along with other European Antichrist plays, visual artists, poets, and theologians used the story to attempt to explain the role of evil in the world.  The most important medieval source for the myth comes from a letter written by Adso, a German Benedictine from the 10th century.  In his letter, which you may read here

https://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/Chronologia/Lspost10/Adso/Letter%20of%20Adso%20to%20Queen%20Gerberga%20Concerning.htm

He tells the story you will see in the play.  Adso informs us that he did not invent any of the story of the Antichrist, but based his letter on his research into the works by other scholars. 
 

In the play, Antichrist comes disguised as Christ, promoting himself as the world’s savior.  He tells four kings—who represent humanity—that he is the true messiah, and that he can rise from the dead.  When he has just about convinced them of his divinity, two Old Testament prophets—Enoch and Elijah—enter and dissuade the kings from worshipping Antichrist.

Antichrist attempts to verbally spar with them, and, when he realizes he cannot win, he massacres all of them.  But, when all seems lost, the Archangel Michael arrives to set things straight.

When watching the play, remember that, to the audience of the time, this was a true story. 

​

The Language

​

The play was originally written in Middle English, which was the language spoken in England from approximately 1100 to 1500.  This variety of English is today mostly known as the language Geoffrey Chaucer used, but a great deal of literature written in it survives. 

For an example of how Middle English looks, this is Michael’s last speech from the play:

​

Enock and Helye, come you anon.
My lord wyll that you with mee gonne
to heaven-blysse, both blood and bone,
evermore there to bee.
You have binne longe, for you bynne wyse,
dwellinge in yearthly paradyce;
but to heaven, where himselfe ys,
nowe shall you goe with mee.

 

For our production, we have modernized the language to a certain extent.  While we have attempted to preserve the rhyme scheme, that has not always been possible.  In some cases, the pronunciation has changed over the centuries.  In others, we have had to replace words to make it more intelligible.  There are a number of words that you will hear repeated that, although they resemble modern words, are no longer in common use, and here are their definitions:

​

Lieve – believe

Posty – power

Ledes – people

Hight – called

Wot – know

Mickle – much or great

Gramercy – thanks (short for “God’s mercy)

Louden – rascal

Faitour – scoundrel

 

Throughout the play, we have substituted “Elijah” for “Hely,” even when it throws off the rhyme scheme.

 

For more on Middle English, go to http://www.thehistoryofenglish.com/history_middle.html

​

BIBLICAL REFERENCES

​

The term “antichrist” appears in the Bible only in the epistles of John.  He has also been equated with the Wicked One and the Man of Sin mentioned by Paul.

​

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

— 1 John 2:18

 

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

— 2 John 1:7

 

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

— 1 John 2:22 

 

 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

— 1 John 4:2–3

 

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that Man of Sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

— 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4

 

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.  And then shall that Wicked One be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

— 2 Thessalonians 2:7–10

 

Jesus also warns, in the gospels, about false prophets:

 

 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

— Matthew 24:24

 

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

— Mark 13:22 

 

Both Enoch and Elijah are called into service to defend God on earth, because neither of them ever died. 

​

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

—Genesis 5:24

 

And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, which parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

 —2 Kings 2:11

 

The Archangel Michael is described as defeating evil:

 

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.   And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

—Revelation 12:7-9

​

Biblical references from the play—they are written in Latin in the manuscript, but will be performed in English:

​

For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

—Ezekiel 36:24

​

In thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

—Psalm 5:8

​

He shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.

—Daniel 11:39 (the play incorrectly states it is from Daniel 13)

​

Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

—Zephaniah 3:8       

 

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.

—Ezekiel 26:26

​​

The opening speech in the play is also in Latin, but is not a biblical text.  The director has translated it into English rhyme, and it appears on the homepage of this website.