The chronological context of the Purim parody's development would have been the stylised drama and morality plays of the Middle Ages, as well as other customs related to folk theater in various countries - such as strolling players and the more informal comi-religious dramatic troupes of "Mummers" (entertainers), clowns and bards, whose performances were held in wealthy private homes, in return for a fee. They may, however, have a far more sinister origin in the custom of hanging and beating of an effigy of Haman in the late Roman Empire (5th century), which were recounted by the Church as real crucifixions and served as the grounds for antisemitic attacks on synagogues and Jews. It is generally thought that Purim parodies began as rhyming declamations in the 12th century, graduating to parodial tractates and books in the 13th and 14th centuries – and from there into plays in the 16th century.
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