most people think that the work “the messiah” falls into the category oratorio however they are further from the truth than they think. since oratorio is defined as an opera without the costumes and acting. the messiah does not have characters in it at all which excuses it for the oratorio category. this song followed the popular theme of secularism of the time while still being written for performance in a concert hall or opera instead of a place like a church. this was very unusual since most things being written with a theme of secularism are normally made for a church setting because the songs focus on religious themes.