The Second Shepherd's Play

In what ways does the story of the three shepherds, Mak, and the stolen sheep echo the plot and themes of the story of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem? In other words, what is the relationship between the comic portions of the play and the serious nativity stories?

How does The Second Shepherds’ Play use humor to reinforce its serious religious purpose and teach its audiences about Christian values? What is the effect of the juxtaposition of the sacred and the profane in the play?

What is the effect of the anachronistic language in The Second Shepherds’ Play? In what ways does it generate comedy, and in what ways does it foreshadow the coming of the Christ-Child?