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 humourous 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
two towns/cities are located in the United Kingdom within East Anglia and are some forty
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.
