Morality plays

Definition

Morality plays are a genre of medieval drama that convey moral lessons through allegorical characters and narrative. These plays typically depict the struggle between good and evil, using personified virtues and vices to teach audiences about moral conduct and the importance of salvation. Often performed during religious festivals, morality plays aimed to educate viewers about Christian values and the consequences of their choices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Morality plays emerged in the 15th century as a distinct form of drama separate from earlier religious plays, focusing more on moral lessons rather than solely biblical narratives.
2. The characters in morality plays are often personifications of abstract concepts such as Goodness, Evil, and Death, making the moral messages clear and relatable to the audience.
3. One of the most famous morality plays is 'Everyman,' which explores themes of mortality and accountability, emphasizing that personal deeds determine one's fate after death.
4. Morality plays were typically performed in community settings, often utilizing local actors, which helped reinforce social values and communal ties through shared experiences.
5. These plays played a crucial role in shaping early English theatre and laid the groundwork for later forms of drama by incorporating elements of character development and conflict.

Review Questions

• How do morality plays utilize allegorical characters to convey moral lessons?
  • Morality plays use allegorical characters to represent virtues and vices, allowing audiences to easily identify with their struggles. For example, characters like Good Deeds or Knowledge embody positive traits, while figures like Death or Vice represent negative influences. This clear representation helps deliver moral lessons effectively, teaching viewers about the consequences of their choices in a way that is both engaging and educational.
• In what ways did morality plays influence the development of later theatrical forms?
  • Morality plays significantly influenced later theatrical forms by introducing complex character development and narrative conflict. As these plays depicted the internal struggles between good and evil through relatable characters, they set the stage for more sophisticated storytelling techniques seen in subsequent genres. The focus on moral themes and audience engagement became foundational elements in the evolution of drama, paving the way for Renaissance theatre and beyond.
• Evaluate the impact of morality plays on community values during the medieval period.
  • Morality plays had a profound impact on community values during the medieval period by reinforcing shared beliefs and ethical conduct among audiences. By dramatizing moral dilemmas and outcomes, these plays served not only as entertainment but also as tools for social education. The communal experience of witnessing such performances helped foster a collective understanding of right and wrong, ultimately shaping societal norms and encouraging individuals to reflect on their actions in relation to Christian teachings.

Related terms

allegory: A narrative technique where characters or events symbolize larger concepts, often moral, spiritual, or political in nature.

interlude: A short theatrical piece performed between the acts of a longer play or during a feast, often featuring comedic elements.

mystery plays: A form of medieval drama that dramatizes biblical stories, often performed as part of religious festivals to educate the audience about scripture.