Literature Glossary
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Morality Play
Definition:
If the average medieval theater geek loved one thing, it was a giant lamb shank to gnaw on. If he loved two things, it was a giant lamb shank to gnaw on and a good morality play.
Morality plays were dramatic allegories that saw the main character forced to choose a good, or Godly, life over an evil one. (So, kind of like Star Wars.) Along the way, the main character met various virtues and vices, like wisdom and gluttony, personified. (So, kind of like Yoda and Jabba the Hutt.)
Morality plays are significant because they show the culture moving away from religion and getting more secular. Not totally secular, mind you. One of the most popular morality plays was Everyman, which has a protagonist who dies and has to substantiate all of his good and evil deeds because God's been keeping track of each and every one in a divine ledger.
And you thought your accounting homework was rough.