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The Prohibition of the Tree of Knowledge

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A modern-spelling script, used for our weekly read-throughs, can be downloaded by clicking here.

The fourth play from the York Corpus Christi Plays deals with God banning Adam and Eve from tasting the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge.  It is expanded  from the second Chapter of Genesis. However, in the play, Eve has already been created; in the original verses, only Adam is present when God forbids him from eating the fruit.

The play was originally performed by the Fullers- who cleansed and purified wool and cloth. It's possible that these bleached  clothes were used for  costumes worn by Adam and Eve-  reflecting their purity before their fall from grace.

The original script, in 15th Century Middle English, can be found here, courtesy of Prof. Clifford Davidson and the University of Rochester's TEAMS Middle English Text Series.

A modernised and edited version of the script can be downloaded by clicking here (PDF).

Watch an adaptation by Tom Straszewski:
Picture of stained glass. Nine panels, each showing a group of angels.
Model box showing the Tree of Knowledge (2016) (c) Max Jones, Ruth Hall and Ella Callow (www.maxjonesdesign.com, www.ellacallow.com)
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