Mankind is an English medieval morality play that was written around 1470. It is considered a moral allegory about the human race and follows Mankind’s fall into sin and his eventual repentance. The author of the play is unknown, but the manuscript is signed by a monk named Hyngham, who is believed to have transcribed the play.
The play is unique among moralities for its surprising juxtaposition of serious theological themes with comedic elements. It draws upon the theatrical traditions of the time and is aware of its own existence in performance. Mankind is one of only five medieval English morality plays that have survived, and it is considered an influential example of the genre. The play uses allegory to convey the message that death is an inevitable part of life and that every person must face it. It explores the themes of morality and redemption, telling the story of Mankind’s journey towards salvation and his struggle to overcome his own sins.
Origins of ‘Mankind’
Historical Context
‘Mankind’ is an English medieval morality play believed to have been written around 1470. The play was written during a time of social and political upheaval in England, as the Wars of the Roses had just ended and the country was transitioning from the medieval period to the Renaissance. The play reflects the religious and social concerns of the time, as well as the changing attitudes towards morality and ethics.
Literary Significance
‘Mankind’ is considered to be one of the most important morality plays of the medieval period. It is unique among other morality plays for its use of humor and satire, which were not common in the genre. The play also features a protagonist, Mankind, who is a representative of the human race and undergoes a journey of self-discovery and repentance. This character development was also not common in morality plays, which usually featured static characters who were meant to represent abstract concepts.
The author of ‘Mankind’ is unknown, but the manuscript is signed by a monk named Hyngham, who is believed to have transcribed the play. The play was likely performed by traveling acting troupes, who would have performed it in towns and villages across England. Despite its age, ‘Mankind’ remains relevant today for its exploration of universal themes such as morality, sin, and redemption.
Plot Overview
Main Characters
“Mankind” is an English medieval morality play, which follows the story of a character named Mankind, a representative of the human race. The play is an allegory for Christian morality and redemption and features several characters that personify virtues and vices. The main characters include Mercy, Mischief, and Titivillus.
Mercy is the first character to enter the stage, and he makes a sermon praising God and warning against temptation. Mischief enters and parodies what Mercy has just said, trying to tempt Mankind to sin. Titivillus is a demon who works for Satan and is responsible for recording human sins.
Narrative Structure
The play is structured around Mankind’s fall into sin and his repentance. The first half of the play portrays Mankind as a virtuous character, coached by Mercy on how to live a good life. However, in the second half, Mankind is tempted by Mischief and his cronies, New Guise, Nowadays, and Nought, who try to coerce him to the dark side.
Mankind eventually succumbs to temptation and is brought before God to face his judgment. However, he repents and is forgiven, and the play ends with a message of hope and redemption. The narrative structure of the play is typical of medieval morality plays, which were designed to teach Christian moral lessons to the audience.
Themes in ‘Mankind’
The Nature of Temptation
In ‘Mankind’, temptation is portrayed as a powerful force that can lead individuals down the path of sin and destruction. The play emphasizes the need for individuals to resist temptation and remain steadfast in their commitment to living a virtuous life. The character of Titivillus, who serves as a tempter and a deceiver, represents the dangers of giving in to temptation.
Virtue and Vice
The play explores the dichotomy between virtue and vice, highlighting the importance of leading a virtuous life. Virtue is portrayed as the key to salvation, while vice is shown to be the cause of damnation. The characters of Mercy, Truth, and Justice represent the virtues that individuals must cultivate in order to lead a righteous life, while the vices of Pride, Covetousness, and Lechery are shown to be the downfall of many.
Salvation and Redemption
‘Mankind’ emphasizes the importance of salvation and redemption, highlighting the need for individuals to seek forgiveness for their sins and strive to lead a virtuous life. The play suggests that salvation can only be achieved through a combination of faith and good works, and that individuals must be willing to repent and seek forgiveness in order to be redeemed. The character of God, who offers forgiveness and mercy, represents the hope of redemption for those who have strayed from the path of righteousness.
Allegorical Elements
Character Symbolism
In “Mankind,” the characters are allegorical representations of different human qualities. Mankind, the protagonist, represents humanity as a whole, while his wife, Mercy, represents forgiveness and compassion. The character of New Guise represents the deceptive nature of appearances, while Titivillus, a demon, represents the temptations that lead humans astray. The allegorical nature of the characters serves to emphasize the moral lessons of the play.
Moral Lessons
“Mankind” is a morality play that teaches lessons about sin, redemption, and the importance of leading a virtuous life. The play emphasizes the idea that humans have free will and must choose between good and evil. The consequences of sin are depicted through the character of Mankind, who falls into sin and must repent to avoid damnation. The play also emphasizes the importance of mercy and forgiveness, as represented by the character of Mercy. Overall, “Mankind” serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of sin and the importance of leading a virtuous life.
Performance and Staging
Medieval Stagecraft
Mankind, like other morality plays of its time, was performed on outdoor stages. These stages were simple, with little to no scenery or props. The focus was on the actors and their performances. The stage was typically a platform raised a few feet off the ground, with a canopy or roof to provide shade for the actors.
The costumes worn by the actors were also simple. They typically wore long robes or tunics, with hats or hoods to indicate their character’s identity. The use of masks was rare, as the emphasis was on the actors’ facial expressions and body language.
Audience Interaction
Morality plays were meant to be interactive, with the actors addressing the audience directly and involving them in the action. The audience was encouraged to participate, with characters often asking for their opinions or advice.
One of the most famous examples of audience interaction in Mankind is the scene where Mercy and Mischief argue over who has the right to claim Mankind’s soul. The actors would ask the audience which character they thought was right, and the response would influence the outcome of the scene.
Modern Interpretations
Academic Perspectives
Modern interpretations of Mankind have focused on its religious and moral themes. Scholars have analyzed the play’s use of allegory to convey Christian teachings on sin, redemption, and the afterlife. Some have also explored the play’s historical context, examining its relationship to other medieval morality plays and its role in shaping English theater.
Contemporary Adaptations
In recent years, Mankind has been adapted for modern audiences in a variety of ways. Some productions have emphasized the play’s humor and satire, while others have focused on its religious themes. In one notable adaptation, the play was staged as a musical, with original songs and updated lyrics.
Contemporary adaptations of Mankind have also explored the play’s relevance to modern audiences. Some have used the play to comment on contemporary social issues, such as climate change and income inequality. Others have used the play to explore the human experience more broadly, examining themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life.