Morality Plays

Definition

Morality plays are a genre of medieval drama that uses allegorical characters and narratives to teach moral lessons about good and evil. These plays emerged in the late medieval period as a way to engage audiences in religious and ethical discussions, often featuring characters representing virtues, vices, and human experiences in the journey of life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Morality plays were most popular in the 15th and early 16th centuries, evolving from earlier forms of religious drama.
2. They often included a character known as Everyman, who represents all of humanity and faces moral choices about salvation.
3. These plays were performed in public spaces, making them accessible to a wide audience, not just the educated elite.
4. The themes of morality plays are timeless, addressing issues such as temptation, redemption, and the struggle between good and evil.
5. Unlike mystery plays that focus on biblical narratives, morality plays emphasize individual moral choices and the consequences of those choices.

Review Questions

• How do morality plays use allegory to convey their messages about morality and ethics?
  • Morality plays utilize allegory by personifying abstract concepts like virtues and vices through their characters. For example, characters may represent traits such as Good Deeds or Knowledge, which guide the protagonist in making ethical decisions. This technique allows audiences to engage with complex moral ideas in an accessible way, illustrating the struggles individuals face in their pursuit of righteousness and virtue.
• Compare and contrast morality plays with mystery plays in terms of themes and audience engagement.
  • While both morality plays and mystery plays were significant forms of medieval drama, they differ greatly in themes and audience engagement. Mystery plays focus on biblical narratives and events from the lives of saints, aiming to educate audiences about religious stories. In contrast, morality plays center on individual moral dilemmas and the journey of the soul, allowing for more personal reflection. Both forms sought to engage audiences, but morality plays did so by highlighting personal responsibility and ethical choices.
• Evaluate the impact of morality plays on modern theater and their relevance today in addressing ethical dilemmas.
  • The impact of morality plays on modern theater can be seen in their influence on character development and narrative structures that address ethical dilemmas. Many contemporary works still explore themes related to good versus evil, personal choice, and redemption. By drawing from the allegorical roots of morality plays, modern playwrights create characters who face significant moral challenges, inviting audiences to reflect on their own values and decisions. This relevance continues to resonate as society grapples with complex ethical issues today.

Related terms

Allegory: A narrative in which characters and events symbolize deeper meanings, often relating to moral or spiritual lessons.

Mystery Plays: Dramatic performances based on biblical stories that were popular in the medieval period, often depicting the lives of saints or the story of Christ.

Vice Characters: Figures in morality plays that embody sinful traits or behaviors, serving as a contrast to the virtuous protagonists and highlighting moral conflicts.