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What are the features of a morality play?

Morality plays are a type of allegorical drama that was popular in the Middle Ages. They typically featured characters who represented abstract concepts, such as Good, Evil, and Virtue. The plays often had a didactic purpose, and they were used to teach moral lessons to the audience.

Here are some of the common features of morality plays:

* Allegorical characters: The characters in morality plays are typically allegorical, which means that they represent abstract concepts. For example, the character of Good might be represented as a beautiful young woman, while the character of Evil might be represented as a hideous old man.

* Didactic purpose: Morality plays were often used to teach moral lessons to the audience. The plays typically showed the consequences of good and evil actions, and they encouraged the audience to choose good over evil.

* Simple plot: The plots of morality plays are typically quite simple. The focus of the plays is on the moral lessons, rather than on the action.

* Use of personification: Morality plays often use personification to represent abstract concepts. For example, the character of Death might be personified as a skeleton with a scythe.

* Use of symbolism: Morality plays also often use symbolism to represent abstract concepts. For example, the color white might be used to symbolize purity, while the color black might be used to symbolize evil.

Morality plays were a popular form of drama in the Middle Ages, and they played an important role in teaching moral lessons to the audience. The plays' allegorical characters, didactic purpose, simple plots, use of personification, and use of symbolism all contributed to their effectiveness in teaching moral lessons.

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