Morality plays

Definition

Morality plays are a genre of medieval drama that illustrate moral lessons through allegorical characters and narratives, typically focusing on the battle between good and evil. These plays were designed to teach audiences about virtue and vice, often using personifications of moral attributes such as Death, Faith, and Vice. They became a vital part of European performance traditions during the late Middle Ages, blending entertainment with ethical instruction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Morality plays emerged in the late 14th century and were performed in England and across Europe, aimed primarily at educating audiences about moral behavior.
2. One of the most famous morality plays is 'Everyman', which centers around the character Everyman representing all humanity's journey toward salvation and judgment.
3. These plays utilized simple plots and characters to ensure their messages were clear and easily understood by the general public.
4. Morality plays often featured a protagonist who faced temptations from vices, with other characters representing virtues that would guide them toward righteousness.
5. As secular drama evolved, morality plays influenced later theatrical forms and genres, helping to shape modern storytelling by emphasizing moral conflict.

Review Questions

• How do morality plays use allegory to convey moral lessons to their audiences?
  • Morality plays utilize allegory by personifying abstract concepts like virtues and vices through characters in the narrative. This allows audiences to see the internal struggles individuals face when making ethical decisions. The clear representation of good and evil through these characters not only makes the moral lessons accessible but also encourages reflection on personal behavior and choices in everyday life.
• Compare the themes presented in morality plays with those found in other forms of medieval drama, such as mystery or miracle plays.
  • While morality plays focus on individual ethical dilemmas and the struggle between good and evil, mystery plays typically explore biblical stories and the lives of saints, emphasizing divine intervention. Miracle plays often depict miraculous events attributed to saints, showcasing faith and divine power. The key difference lies in the focus of morality plays on personal morality versus the communal or religious narratives presented in mystery and miracle plays.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of morality plays on contemporary theater and performance arts regarding moral storytelling.
  • Morality plays have significantly influenced modern theater by establishing a framework for storytelling that emphasizes moral conflict and character development. Contemporary works often reflect similar themes where protagonists confront ethical challenges, drawing inspiration from the allegorical nature of morality plays. The legacy of these medieval dramas continues in various genres, reminding audiences of the importance of ethics and personal responsibility in both dramatic narratives and real-life scenarios.

Related terms

Allegory: A literary device where characters and events symbolize broader moral or spiritual meanings, often used in morality plays to convey deeper ethical lessons.

Pageant: A type of theatrical performance that was commonly used in medieval times, often incorporating elements of morality plays as well as historical or biblical narratives.

Interlude: A short play or entertainment piece that often served as a bridge between longer works, which sometimes included moral themes reflective of morality plays.