Key Characteristics of a Morality Play

Morality plays have influenced modern-day theater.

Morality plays, launched in medieval European theater, depict the battle between good and evil. An example of a morality play is "Everyman," an allegorical drama that points out how Christians should live their lives and what they could do to save their souls. A morality play takes virtues and vices and converts them into personified characters who act out the workings of good and evil. While this art form thrived in the 15th century, it has influenced both Elizabethan and modern-day theater. Morality plays have several key characteristics that define them.

Serious

Since most morality plays rose from religious drama, the tone and style of early plays is serious and introspective. As the format opened up to the secular world, playwrights included popular farce in their creations.

Allegorical

Like allegory prose, the morality play can be understood on more than one level, taking abstract traits, such as gluttony or pride, and assigning them a physical appearance. This personification often involves sins, especially in the early plays, or trends toward the 16th century when morality plays became more secularized.

Simple

While complex in themes and lessons, the morality plays are simple in construction, which allowed early performers the mobility to present the play at any location, whether in a theater or on the street.

Good vs. Evil

All morality plays wrestle with the internal conflict of good and evil, as their original intended purpose was to educate viewers about good morals.

References

• Society for Creative Anachronism Australia: Forms of English Theatre -- An Overview
• New Plays: Morality Plays
• Cummings Study Guides: "Everyman"
• New World Encyclopedia: Morality Play