Morality Plays are a medieval European verse drama which
were designed to enlighten and discipline their audiences. These were, in
part, a development of the Mystery Play. The plays replace human characters
with personified virtues and vices with the humorous elements being
provided by the Devil. Morality Plays,
such as 'Everyman', flourished in the 15th Century and it's influence is not
only seen in Elizabethan dramas but also in today's theatre - as illustrated
by the classic plot of 'Cathedral'.
What follows in an analysis of the Morality Play.
Who wrote Morality Plays?
Currently this is unknown and the authors remain
anonymous - this is despite theories attempting to unmask the playwrights.
'Mankind' is one example of this.
The places named in 'Mankind' are mostly villages near
Cambridge and King's Lynn. These 2 towns/cities are located in the United
Kingdom within East Anglia and are some 40 miles apart - these are signs
suggested that the author had some local knowledge.
The author of 'Mankind' also knew Latin well and also has
some knowledge of the law as well as having a grasp of theology. The author,
like many medieval writers, was critical of the church and was interested in
the broad issues of sin and forgiveness. Despite the issues highlighted by
the play, Mankind receives forgiveness easily compared with the usual route
of contrition, confession, absolution and satisfaction. It has been
suggested because of the author's interest in Latin and joy of word play it
has been suggested that they would have been connected to Cambridge
academia. The above points and the general 'theatrically' of the play has
made many people suggest that the author of the play was either an
experienced amateur or a professional actor. This is stressed further
through the play's sources.
'Everyman' is can be seen as a translation of the Dutch
play 'Elckerlijc' so therefore the author would know this language well. A
man who is known to have translated several Dutch books into English is
Laurence Andrewe from Calais, France. Laurence worked as a printer and a
bookseller in London in and around 1527 when the play was first printed. At
present there is no firm evidence proving this theory so this remains
speculation. This also brings into question the date of which the play was
written.
How do we know when Morality Plays were written?
This question will be answered, again, by using 'Mankind'
to illustrate the main points.
The manuscript of 'Mankind' survives from the second half
of the 15th Century. This manuscript offers clues as the precise date the
play was written. Some of these clues will now be highlighted.
'Mankind' includes many references to money current at
the time of writing. This included the 'royal' which was a gold coin that
was first issued in 1464/1465. The earlier date is brought into question as
the coin may have been used as currency before this date but known by a
different name. Another a type of coinage is also mentioned during the play
- 'The Angel' - which made it's
appearance between 1468 and 1470. Other references raise further questions
as to the play's precise writing date.
Within the play there is there is a reference to an
imaginary 'Pope Pocket' which is seen as many as a jibe against the Pope's
greed. It is also possible that this was a reference to John Poket who was
the Prior of Barnwell Abbey, near Cambridge, the area in which 'Mankind' is
believed to have originated. John was Prior between 1444 and 1464. Line 514
suggests that Prior had dealings with 'Master Allington of Bottisham', this
is seen as a reference to the local papal representative of the time. This
explains the ironic 'Pope' reference.
'Everyman' was first printed by Richard Pynson between
1510 and 1525. It has been suggested that the play was written some time
before this print appeared. It has been argued that this version of the play
is based on Vosterman's Antwerp print of 'Elckerlijc' (circa 1518-1525).
This is brought into question as a different interpretation was sold by John
Dorne, an Oxford bookseller in 1520. This version of the play differs in
style, sense and language and this whole edition suggests that the play,
even then, wasn't new. The above points suggest that the play was in
circulation many years before first appeared in print.
How were Morality Plays staged?
Morality Plays are known for their mobility. The plays as
a whole and 'Mankind' in particular are known to have few special staging
needs. The plays require no actual 'stage' other than a space amongst
spectators - the 'place'. This is a long established practice for both
medieval and Tudor plays. Specific locations with the plays (such as
'Everyman's House of Salvation) were either left to the imagination or shown
through careful use of the 'place'. Occasionally a few symbolic props such
as Mankind's spade were featured. This is very versatile as Everyman can be
shown entertaining his kinsmen and approaching his grave soon after. The
absence of a raised stage also encouraged unity between the players and the
audience which made the play more attractive to perform and to go and watch.
The props mentioned in the play are a spade, a bag of
grain, paper, a writing instrument and a rosary (for Mankind). Titivillus
requires a net, board and weeds whilst Mercy calls for only a scourge. On
the other hand the Vices several props including a weapon, fetters, a dish,
a plate, rope, gallows, a flute, purses, noose, stolen goods and a pen and
paper. The text makes reference to Titivillus having a large head and
Mankind wears a 'side-gown' which has been cut down to a jacket. Mercy is a
'seemly father' and this implies he is wearing clerical dress. Many of the
props listed above would be implied rather than seen. The 7 parts required
by the play can be performed by 6 actors if the roles of Mercy and
Titivillus are doubled-up.
As illustrated above Morality Plays are very versatile so
they would been performed in a variety of places. These range from inns and
inn yards to the halls of private houses, this resulted in making them very
popular to stage to potentially huge audiences.
'Cathedral' brings the Morality Play up to date with it's
classic plot.
