Morality plays were a popular form of medieval drama that taught Christian values through allegorical characters. These plays featured a central character, often called "Everyman," who faced temptations and challenges, representing humanity's struggle between good and evil.

The plays used personified virtues and vices as characters to illustrate moral concepts. This allegorical approach made complex spiritual ideas more accessible to audiences, serving as a powerful tool for religious instruction and social conformity in medieval society.

Defining characteristics of morality plays

Purpose and structure

• Morality plays are a type of medieval drama that emerged in the 15th and 16th centuries aiming to teach Christian morals and values through allegorical characters and plots
• The plays typically revolve around a central character, often called "Everyman," who represents all of humanity and faces various temptations and challenges throughout the story
• The purpose of morality plays was to instruct the audience on the importance of leading a virtuous life and the consequences of succumbing to sin and temptation
• Morality plays were often performed by traveling acting troupes in public spaces (town squares, marketplaces) making them accessible to a wide audience

Use of allegory and personification

• Morality plays are characterized by their use of personified abstract qualities (virtues, vices) as characters in the play
• The interaction between virtues and vices in morality plays serves to illustrate the internal struggle between good and evil that all humans face
• The allegorical nature of morality plays allows for complex moral and spiritual concepts to be presented in a more accessible and relatable manner to the audience

Allegory of virtues and vices

Representation of virtues

• Virtues are typically portrayed as characters who guide and support the protagonist, encouraging them to make righteous choices and resist temptation
• Common virtues represented include Faith, Hope, Charity, and Good Deeds
• Virtues serve as moral exemplars and embodiments of Christian ideals, demonstrating the path to salvation and spiritual fulfillment

Depiction of vices

• Vices are depicted as characters who tempt and deceive the protagonist, leading them astray from the path of righteousness
• Typical vices include Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, and Sloth
• Vices represent the various forms of sin and moral corruption that humans must overcome to achieve spiritual purity and redemption
• The portrayal of vices often involves humor and satire, highlighting the absurdity and destructiveness of immoral behavior

Didactic role of morality plays

Religious instruction and moral education

• Morality plays served a crucial didactic purpose in medieval society, acting as a means of religious instruction and moral education for the largely illiterate population
• The plays provided a visual and engaging way to convey Christian teachings and reinforce the importance of adhering to the Church's doctrines
• By presenting the consequences of sin and the rewards of virtue, morality plays encouraged the audience to reflect on their own lives and make choices that aligned with Christian values

Promotion of social order and conformity

• The plays also served to promote social order and conformity by emphasizing the importance of obedience to authority, both religious and secular
• Morality plays reinforced the hierarchical structure of medieval society, encouraging individuals to accept their place within the social order and fulfill their duties accordingly
• The didactic nature of morality plays reflects the close relationship between the Church and the arts in medieval society, as plays were often commissioned by religious organizations or guilds to promote their values and interests

Influence of morality plays on drama

Development of English drama

• Morality plays played a significant role in the development of English drama, serving as a bridge between liturgical drama and the secular plays of the Elizabethan era
• The use of allegory and personification in morality plays influenced the works of later playwrights (Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare) who incorporated similar techniques in their plays
• The structure of morality plays, with their focus on a central character's journey and the representation of abstract concepts, can be seen in later works (John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress," auto sacramentales of Spanish Golden Age theater)

Legacy in modern drama

• The didactic nature of morality plays set a precedent for theater as a means of social commentary and moral instruction, a tradition that continues in various forms to the present day
• The legacy of morality plays is evident in the continued use of archetypal characters and the exploration of moral dilemmas in modern drama (works of Bertolt Brecht, contemporary morality-based plays)
• Modern plays often draw upon the themes and techniques of morality plays to address contemporary social, political, and ethical issues, demonstrating the enduring relevance of the genre