Genre
Medieval Play
Setting and Context
Biblical times, after God appears to Abraham
Narrator and Point of View
The point of view is both Abraham's and Isaac's.
Tone and Mood
The tone is distressing because Abraham is distraught over having to sacrifice his only son. It is also somewhat inspirational because Abraham is an example of devotion and loyalty to God, and after he is saved from having to make the sacrifice it is also joyful.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Abraham is the protagonist; there is no antagonist in this play.
Major Conflict
The conflict is brief, between Abraham and Isaac when Isaac learns that he is to be the sacrifice they are making once they reach the mountains; it is short lived because once he learns it is God's will that he is sacrificed there is no longer conflict between them.
Climax
As Abraham raises his sword to strike Isaac the angel from God appears and takes it from his hand.
Foreshadowing
God's instruction to Abraham foreshadows the fact that he has to kill his only son.
Understatement
Abraham is said to be distraught which is an understatement because he considers the greatest blessing in his life to be his son.
Allusions
The play alludes to earlier passages in the Bible that relate to Abraham's leaving his home and family on God's command.
Imagery
The imagery is Judao-Christian based; the play places the "character" of God higher up on the stage than the rest of the characters to show his image as more important than man.
Paradox
Isaac is at first pleading for his life but like his father he wants to do God's will and so when he finds out that his sacrifice was God's command he urges his father to act more quickly.
Parallelism
There is a parallel between the story of Abraham and Isaac and the way in which the doctor character tells the audience that they should be loyal to God without questioning.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
N/A
