The Origin of the German Carnival Comedy 415 The most important part of the spring ritual, however, was the death and resurrection of the fertility god. It was performed as a kind of passion-play in all parts of Europe as well as in certain parts of Asia. The death and resurrection of Adonis, Attis, and Osiris were annually performed in their rites in Western Asia and in Greek lands. 85 The passion and resurrec- tion of Dionysus were performed at several of his rites and perhaps also at the Anthesteria. 86 The modern Thracian Carnival drama still represents the marriage, death and resur- rection of Dionysus. 87 The myth of Balder, who was slain like Dionysus and Orpheus, was perhaps also performed in his rites. 88 Analogous practices are found in India, Australia, and Mexico. This idea of the dying and reviving god, by which primitive man explained the decay and growth of vegetation, has been kept smouldering beneath the ashes of the centuries. It under- lies many rural spring customs of modern Europe and is still expressed in a number of varieties of dramatic symbolism. 891 The mock-killing of the leaf-clad mummer, the representative of the old spirit whose powers have failed in the decay of winter, as a necessary step to his revival or resurrection or re-birth in a younger and fresher form, is still a prominent feature of our folk-festivals. It has survived in certain parts of Germany and Austria as a Shrovetide and Whitsuntide custom. 90 Often the leaf-clad person, who as the representative of the old spirit of vegetation is about to be executed, is known as the king. There is also, as has been noted, a king and queen of May. The royal title implies that the spirit incorporated in vegetation is a ruler. 91 It may, however, with great likelihood, be traced back to the influence of the Saturnalia, at which a mock king after a reign of thirty days was sacrificed to Cronos. This custom has perhaps played a part in the mock crowning of Jesus by the Roman soldiers before his crucifixion.
- Ibid., v. 224sqq., vi. 85sq., ix. 398.
86 Ibid., v. 302n4, vii. sqq., 32. 87 Ibid., vi. 99sq., vii. 26sqq., viii. 331sqq.
- Ibid.,x. 105.
89 Ibid., iv. 212, 252, 263sqq., vi. 128. 90 Cf. Mannhardt, W.u.F.K., i. 4Wsq., 524; Frazer, op. tit., iv. 2Q6sqq., 210, xi. 25sq.
91 Cf. Mannhardt, W.u.F.K., i. SUsqq.; Frazer, op. tit., ii. Msqq.
