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Morality Plays: Allegorical Dramas Depicting the Human Experience

Introduction:

Morality plays, a significant genre in medieval drama, aimed to convey moral lessons to the audience through dramatized allegories of the life of man. These plays depicted the human experience, including man's temptation, sinning, quest for salvation, and confrontation with Death. Here we will study the characteristics of morality plays, analyzing how they represent the complexities of human nature and morality.

Dramatized Allegories of Human Life

At the heart of morality plays is their allegorical nature, where characters and events symbolize abstract concepts and moral dilemmas. The plots of these plays often revolve around the journey of a central character, known as the Hero, who represents Mankind as a whole. Through the Hero's experiences and trials, the plays seek to impart moral lessons and guidance to the audience.Medieval Morality Plays were dramatic works that conveyed moral lessons and Christian virtues. 

Here are few examples: 

"Everyman": Depicts the journey of the soul towards death and the importance of good deeds.

"The Castle of Perseverance": Explores the battle between good and evil for a soul's salvation.

"Mankind": Shows the struggles of humanity against vices and the need for repentance.

"The Interlude of the Four Elements": Teaches about the harmony of the natural world and the soul's role in it.

"Wisdom": Focuses on the pursuit of wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.

"The Pride of Life": Warns against the sin of pride and the consequences of hubris.

"The Summoning of Everyman": A variant of the original "Everyman," reinforcing the message of accountability and penance.

Temptation, Sinning, Salvation, and Confrontation with Death

Morality plays discusses the fundamental struggles of the human condition. They showcase the Hero's encounters with temptation and sinning, illustrating the moral dilemmas and choices that individuals face in their lives. As the Hero embarks on a quest for salvation, the plays explore themes of repentance, redemption, and the pursuit of righteousness. Additionally, morality plays confront the inevitability of Death, serving as a reminder of the transient nature of human existence and the need to prepare for the afterlife.

Complex Characters and Symbolism

While the Hero in morality plays represents Mankind, the other characters are not merely personifications of virtues, vices, and Death. Instead, they embody human qualities and personalities, making the plays more relatable and engaging for the audience. These characters often serve as tempters, guides, or challenges for the Hero, illustrating the diversity of human experiences and the complexities of moral decision-making.

The Role of the Vice: A Precursor to the Villain-Hero

One distinctive feature of morality plays is the character known as the Vice, who often plays a crucial role in the narrative. The Vice is a mischievous and deceitful figure, serving as a counterpart to the Hero. While the Hero embodies virtues and strives for salvation, the Vice embodies vices and seeks to lead the Hero astray. The Vice serves as a precursor to the Villain-Hero in Elizabethan drama, adding depth and conflict to the moral struggles depicted in the play.

Conclusion:

Morality plays hold a significant place in the history of drama, offering allegorical depictions of the human experience and moral dilemmas. These plays serve as vehicles for conveying profound moral lessons to the audience, exploring themes of temptation, sinning, salvation, and the inevitability of Death. While the Hero represents Mankind as a whole, other characters in morality plays are multifaceted, embodying various human qualities and personalities. The role of the Vice adds complexity and conflict to the narrative, foreshadowing the development of the Villain-Hero in later drama. Overall, morality plays offer timeless reflections on the complexities of human nature and the enduring struggle between virtue and vice.

Ardhendu De

Reference

A history of English literature : Buchan, John, 1875-1940 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/historyofenglish00buch

A History Of English Drama 1660 1900 : Allardyce Nicoll : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.58964

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