When the sacred plays began to be written, their authors were for the most part persons of no distinction, but Lorenzo de Medici wrote one and Pulci also contributed to this form of art.

The best writers, according to Symonds, were Feo Belcari and Castellano Castellani.
The sacred plays were not divided into acts, but the stage directions make it plain that scenes were changed.

The dramas were not very artistic in structure.

The story was set forth baldly and simply, and the language became stereotyped.

The "success of the play," says Symonds, "depended on the movement of the story, and the attractions of the scenery, costumes and music." Symonds describes at some length "Saint Uliva" and the interludes of Cecchi's "Esaltazione della Croce." The latter belongs to 1589, but it is almost certain that the manner of presentation was traditional.