Morality play
Morality plays (15th-16th c.): a type of theatrical
allegory where the characters, in the form of personified moral attributes, must validate the virtues of Godly life by prompting the
protagonist to choose such life over evil. These plays, most popular in 15th and 16th century Europe, helped move
European theater from being religiously based to secularly based. However, the plays still offered moral instruction and together with mystery and miracle plays constituted the theater of the
Middle Ages. Examples of morality plays include the
French Condemnation des banquets by Nicolas de Chesnaye and the English
The Castle of Perseverance and
Everyman, which is today considered the best of the morality plays.
- see also: Everyman
- related article: Mystery play