Morality Plays Definition
A morality play is a genre of medieval and early Tudor theatrical entertainment. These plays were allegorical dramas depicting the moral struggle of the human soul, characterised by the personification of moral attributes.
Historical Context
Medieval morality plays encapsulated the intersection of drama and didacticism. Predominantly European in origin, these plays emerged against a backdrop of significant social and religious transformations. The late medieval period was a time of significant turbulence and change. The church, seeking to maintain its influence amidst growing secularism and the beginnings of the Renaissance, found that morality plays a powerful tool in communicating its doctrines and reinforcing its authority. And so, these plays served as entertainment and a moral compass, guiding the largely illiterate populace through complex religious and ethical concepts.
The late Middle Ages was also characterised by a deep fascination with the metaphysical – life, death, and the eternal soul – themes that were prominently explored in these dramas. Morality plays were didactic tools that instructed the people and aimed to instil religious virtues and moral fortitude among the masses. They intertwined religious doctrine with secular concerns, thus blurring the lines between spiritual education and worldly wisdom.
The advent of morality plays also signalled a gradual shift from earlier centuries’ more abstract liturgical dramas to a form of theatre that was more relatable and engaging to the general populace. They employed allegorical storytelling, where characters personifying good and evil, virtues and vices, embarked on a journey reflective of the human experience. The plays were performed in a variety of settings, from churches to public squares, making them accessible to a broad audience.
Conventions of Morality Plays
Morality plays were marked by several defining conventions that set them apart from other genres of the time.
Allegorical Characters
The use of allegorical characters was a hallmark of morality plays. These characters were not individuals in the traditional sense but personifications of moral attributes, virtues, vices, and other abstract concepts. For instance, the character ‘Everyman’ was a representation of mankind as a whole, embodying the universal human experience. Similarly, characters such as ‘Good Deeds’ symbolised moral actions, ‘Knowledge’ represented understanding and wisdom, while ‘Death’ was an unavoidable force that reminded audiences of life’s temporary nature. This allegorical approach allowed the plays to address complex moral and ethical issues in a straightforward manner that was both engaging and comprehensible to audiences of varying social and educational backgrounds.
Representations of Good and Evil
Central to the narrative structure of morality plays was the vivid portrayal of the struggle between good and evil. This struggle was often externalised through characters such as angels, representing divine guidance and virtue, and devils or demons, embodying temptation and sin. These dramatisations of good and evil were not merely abstract concepts; they were brought to life on stage, providing a visual and dramatic representation of the internal moral conflicts faced by individuals. This clear division between good and evil served to reinforce the moral lessons of the plays, illustrating the consequences of ethical choices in a stark and often dramatic manner.
Didactic Nature
The primary purpose of morality plays was didactic. Unlike other forms of medieval drama, such as the mystery plays that recounted biblical narratives, morality plays were aimed at imparting moral and spiritual lessons to their audience. This educational aspect was not subtle; it was the central tenet around which these plays were constructed. The narrative usually led the audience through a journey of moral reckoning, often culminating in a moment of redemption or moral clarity. This focus on teaching rather than solely entertaining allowed morality plays to function as a tool for moral instruction and reflection, aligned with the didactic goals of the Church and the ethical expectations of the time.
Characters in “Everyman”
Themes Explored in Morality Plays
Morality plays in the medieval period were rich in themes that probed the depths of human morality and spirituality. These plays were not just theatrical performances but vehicles for conveying moral and theological concepts.
Moral and Spiritual Lessons
- Virtuous Living: The plays frequently emphasised the importance of leading a life of virtue. Virtuous living was often portrayed as a pathway to divine favour and a means to avoid the perils of sin. This emphasis was reflective of the prevailing Christian ethos that underscored moral conduct as a key determinant of one’s spiritual fate.
- Christian Values: Morality plays served as a medium for reinforcing Christian values such as charity, humility, patience, and the love of one’s neighbour. These values were woven into the narratives, often through the trials and tribulations of the central characters.
- Death and Judgement: A recurring motif in these plays was the inevitability of death and the subsequent divine judgement. This theme served as a reminder of the transitory nature of life and the eternal consequences of one’s actions, urging audiences to lead morally upright lives.
The Struggle Between Vice and Virtue
- Personification of Moral Choices: Morality plays often personified good and evil through characters representing virtues and vices. This allegorical representation made the abstract concepts of morality more tangible and relatable for the audience.
- Human Soul in Conflict: The central narrative often revolved around a protagonist (representing the human soul) navigating a world rife with moral dilemmas. This struggle was a dramatisation of the human condition, reflecting the constant tension between ethical imperatives and worldly temptations.
- Consequences of Choices: These plays highlighted the consequences of moral choices, showing how decisions influenced by virtue led to positive outcomes, whereas succumbing to vice resulted in downfall and despair.
The Importance of Salvation
- Redemption: Salvation, a key tenet of Christian doctrine, was a predominant theme. The plays often portrayed redemption as attainable through repentance and adherence to Christian teachings.
- Afterlife and Divine Grace: The concept of the afterlife was central to these narratives, where the promise of heavenly reward for the righteous and damnation for the wicked was a recurring element. This underscored the Christian belief in divine grace and the salvific power of faith.
- Moral Instruction for Salvation: The plays served as a form of moral instruction, guiding the audience on the path to salvation. They often concluded with a moral resolution, reinforcing the idea that despite life’s trials and temptations, salvation was within reach for those who sought it earnestly.
Key Morality Plays
Several morality plays stand out for their enduring impact and representation of the genre’s key themes.
“(The Summoning of) Everyman” | Anonymous | c.1510
- Universal Themes: ‘Everyman‘, with its exploration of mortality, judgement, and redemption, stands as a seminal work in the genre. The play’s central character, embodying all humanity, faces the end of life and reflects on the deeds that will follow him into the afterlife.
- Moral Journey: Everyman’s interactions with figures representing various facets of life highlight the ultimate importance of good deeds. This journey towards understanding and acceptance of life’s transient nature resonates with universal human experiences.
- Lasting Impact: The play’s enduring appeal lies in its direct address of life’s ultimate questions, making ‘Everyman’ a timeless piece and a staple in the study of morality plays.
“The Castle of Perseverance” | Anonymous | c.1440
- Life’s Stages: This play’s depiction of the human life span, from birth to death, is a comprehensive portrayal of the moral and spiritual trials an individual faces. Humanum Genus, the central character, represents humanity’s journey through life.
- Moral Allegory: The allegorical struggle between vice and virtue, depicted through Humanum Genus’s life, underscores the resilience of the human soul against sin. The castle symbolises the fortitude required for spiritual perseverance.
- Dramatic Complexity: Its elaborate staging requirements and the breadth of its narrative scope make ‘The Castle of Perseverance’ a significant historical piece in the evolution of theatrical production.
“Mankind” | Unknown | c.1470
- Human Struggle and Temptation: ‘Mankind’ is a morality play that delves into the themes of temptation and redemption. The protagonist, named Mankind, is representative of the common man and his moral struggles.
- Vices and Virtue: The play is notable for its vivid portrayal of vices, which are personified and interact directly with Mankind, tempting him away from the path of virtue. The battle between the forces of good and evil is central to the narrative.
- Social Commentary: Unique to ‘Mankind’ is its commentary on contemporary social issues, such as the corruption of the clergy and the hardships of the peasantry. This incorporation of topical themes alongside moral allegory reflects the play’s relevance to its audience and its times.
- Stylistic Elements: ‘Mankind’ is also known for its use of humour and farcical elements, distinguishing it from the more solemn tone of other morality plays. This blend of moral seriousness with entertainment made the play appealing to a broad audience.