Martin
A poem prepared as Reader’s Theatre
“Martin” is a great reader’s theatre style poem about the
great church reformer Martin Luther. It is loaded with great
information which can be used for Reformation Day celebrations
or used in History class teaching of the 1500’s. It makes a strong
religious statement about Luther’s beliefs, and the motivation
behind the posting of his 95 theses on the Wittenberg church door.
This was written for 19 students, but doubling of parts can be
done. By the time we perform it, my students are capable of
saying all their classmate’s parts.
For performing, we add a couple of props.
1. The student reciting Luther’s lines is in costume, and
he always steps forward to recite his line.
2. One student is holding a tin pail and several around
him are holding a penny each. After the BOYS say,
“Another penny in the coffer rings,” those students
with the pennies drop their coins in the pail.
3. After Speaker 6 says, “Another soul from purgatory
springs,” four students standing at the end of the
two rows, bounce out with hands in the air.
4. After Speaker 5 says, “’Buy salvation” men were
told!” Several students wave pieces of paper with
the word Forgiven written on each.
5. When the HERALD says, “The wild boar was loosed
in the vineyard of the Lord” he lets a long scroll drop
to the ground with his line written in large letters.
The last page is an assessment to see how much the students
learned.
Thank you for browsing my work. If you are a follower, you
should soon see a short play for five people about a female
reformer, Katharina Zell.
I love classical teaching.
Robin Gottlieb
Martin by Dr. C. Mathew McMahon Adapted (with permission) by
Robin Gottlieb
ALL: Upon the door of Wittenberg
A solid banging could be heard
A monk did stand before the church
And …
LUTHER: Martin Luther
ALL: was his name.
BOYS: As Luther nailed his theses,
Upon the church that day.
GIRLS: A fire was burning in his heart,
ALL:
Reform was now about to start
SPEAKER 1: On the eve of All Saint’s Day,
When religious folks would come to pray
ALL:
1517 was the year,
SPEAKER 2: October 31
ALL:
we do hold dear
SPEAKER 2: A day Martin knew that some would see…
SPEAKER 3: A proclamation of truth which had to be!
SPEAKER 4: That compromise had become
The great undoing of more than some.
SPEAKER 5: “Buy salvation” men were told!
GIRLS:
Selling grace for bits of gold.
BOYS:
A penny in the coffer rings
SPEAKER 6: Another soul from purgatory springs!
ALL: And Luther was outraged.
SPEAKER 7: The Wicked Church had changed it up
To doctrines and traditions all corrupt.
SPEAKER 8: Pope and priests did wish Luther ill,
Hoping their power would be theirs still.
GIRLS: Leaders of the blind they were,
BOYS: And from the gates of heaven far
Their lives did show but evil… and
GIRLS: Their time had come for an upheaval.
ALL: A papal bull sent out the word,
HERALD: “The wild boar was loosed in the vineyard of the Lord.”
ALL: Indeed, Luther was a boar….a man so bold
As to throw an inkstand at the devil, it is told.
BOYS: Luther’s mouth could not be shut,
GIRLS: His pen and ink would cry out.
ALL: Justified by faith, and faith alone.
Not by works of righteousness that we own .
SPEAKER 10: No man saves his soul to heaven,
It’s done by Jesus Christ now given,
SPEAKER 11: A man must be born again,
The Spirit’s work, we know not when.
SPEAKER 12:
SPEAKER 13:
SPEAKER 14:
SPEAKER 15:
Elect and sealed by God’s decree.
Holy Scriptures revealed the key.
What truths were told to men so lost,
God’s mercy given at great cost.
BOYS: The Pope and king did try to win,
GIRLS: But in the end there’s death for sin
SPEAKER 16: The Imperial Council in the city of Worms
SPEAKER 17: A trial for heresy and Luther’s stand was firm.
ALL: Luther was not silenced.
LUTHER: “I shall not, cannot, will not ever,
Recant such things, there are none better.
Here I stand. God help me, I cannot do otherwise.”
BOYS:
ALL:
GIRLS:
ALL:
He taught and preached for years to come,
Great Reformation had begun,
‘Tis still observed today by some,
May all proclaim what GOD has done!
What do you know
about Martin Luther?
Name _________________
Date _________________
Where did Luther nail his theses? ___________________
When did he do this? ___________________________
Why did Luther choose this day?
__________________________________________
What were the people of Luther’s day trying to buy?
__________________________________________
At least eight of Luther’s beliefs are mentioned in the poem? List
three._______________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Where was Luther put on trial? ____________________
Of what was Luther accused? ______________________
What were his famous words when asked to recant his writings?
___________________________________________
___________________________________________