Morality PlaysMorality Plays & & InterludesInterludes

Fabio PesaresiFabio Pesaresi

fpesaresi@aliceposta.itfpesaresi@aliceposta.it

A match in HeavenA match in Heaven

The goal:The goal:

the possession of the soul of a manthe possession of the soul of a man

The 7 Deadly SinsThe 7 Deadly Sins

vs.vs.

The 7 VirtuesThe 7 Virtues

How would you represent How would you represent that?that?

a football matcha football match

a duela duel

arm wrestlingarm wrestling

a battlea battle

AllegoryAllegory

representing something representing something

with an “with an “otherother””

sensesense

a a complexcomplex symbol symbol

Exemple of allegoryExemple of allegory

OdysseyOdyssey universal voyage of human lifeuniversal voyage of human life

OdysseusOdysseus all menall men

PenelopePenelope love, faithfulness, love, faithfulness, patiencepatience

TelemachuTelemachuss

youth, impatience, filial youth, impatience, filial lovelove

SuitorsSuitors lust, sin, traitors, bad lust, sin, traitors, bad companiescompanies

What aboutWhat about CirceCirceNausicaaNausicaathe The Lotus Eaters the The Lotus Eaters the Sirensthe SirensPolyphemus ?Polyphemus ?

In an allegory In an allegory everyevery element must have element must have a a

second -second -higherhigher- meaning- meaning

Second exampleSecond exampleDivina ComediaDivina Comedia

Dante = all men, or the soul of menDante = all men, or the soul of men

Beatrice = faithBeatrice = faith

Virgil = reasonVirgil = reason

Morality PlayMorality Play(14th – 16th century)(14th – 16th century)

isis

allegory in a dramatic formallegory in a dramatic form

ThemesThemesDoes not tell real eventsDoes not tell real events

butbut

give a give a concrete formconcrete form to universal to universal spiritual problemsspiritual problems

exampleexample

sinsin repentancrepentancee

divine divine forgivenesforgivenes

ssChristiaChristia

nndeathdeath

3 necessary elements3 necessary elements

►Allegorical structureAllegorical structure

►Abstract charactersAbstract characters

►Pedagogical objectivePedagogical objective

Famous titlesFamous titles

►The Castle of PerseveranceThe Castle of Perseverance

►MankindMankind

►The Pride of LifeThe Pride of Life

►EverymanEveryman

EverymanEverymanaround 1485around 1485

theme:theme:

Everyman, a rich merchant, receives a Everyman, a rich merchant, receives a visit by Death who wants to take him visit by Death who wants to take him with her:with her:

who will help him against her?who will help him against her?

Beauty? Beauty?

Worldly Goods?Worldly Goods?

Friendship?Friendship?

KnowledgeKnowledge accepts to stay with him, but accepts to stay with him, but

just till the moment of death.just till the moment of death.

Only Only Good DeedsGood Deeds will accompany him will accompany him after deathafter death

Morality plays go on until Morality plays go on until 16401640

closing of the theatresclosing of the theatres

InterludesInterludesmid 16th centurymid 16th century

light break between acts of a playlight break between acts of a play

featuresfeatures

►Serious theme + funny elementsSerious theme + funny elements

►MusicMusic

►DanceDance

ActivityActivity►Write the plot of a Morality Play:Write the plot of a Morality Play:

►Title: “Everystudent”Title: “Everystudent”

►Goal: giving advice to how to succeed Goal: giving advice to how to succeed in studyingin studying

►Characters: allegorical representations Characters: allegorical representations of good and evil qualities or companiesof good and evil qualities or companies

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