Some verbal patterns in the Castle of Perseverance

D Levey

doi:10.4102/koers.v44i6.1142

Abstract

The pure fifteenth and sixteenth century ‘morality play’, of which The Castle of Perseverance is an instance, is far from being the dry ethical study this inaccurate term would suggest. Far more than dealing only with morals it sets out a complete plan of salvation for the individual. Sometimes, as with this play, it will deal with the entire life of one person, his triumphs and failures and eventual attainment to grace; occasionally it will touch upon the most dramatic event in that life, namely the approach of death. Hence the leading character is normally a figure of mankind, bearing a name such as Everyman or Humanum Genus, and he is surrounded by crowds of good and evil characters who allegorically portray the various influences on him. The intent of such plays is avowedly didactic and theological; one might term them dramatized sermons, though not with complete accuracy. In the sixteenth century the original purpose of these plays is rather lost sight of, and secularized ‘moralities’ appear, portraying social or political ideals such as good government.

Highlights

The pure fifteenth and sixteenth century ‘morality play’, of which The Castle o f Perseverance is an instance, is far from being the dry ethical study this inaccurate term would suggest
The whole aim of the morality is that its audience should identify to at least some extent with the everyman figure; it has been suggested that the audience acted to some degree as a corporate character itself
The Castle o f Perseverance was written in the English Midlands; we know nothing of its author save that he must have been a wellread man

Summary

Introduction

The pure fifteenth and sixteenth century ‘morality play’, of which The Castle o f Perseverance is an instance, is far from being the dry ethical study this inaccurate term would suggest. The general mood of the play is here lifting somewhat as the first conver sion of Mankind approaches, and while on the one hand Penitence employs the well-established imagery to encourage Man

Results

Conclusion