What is a key theme commonly found in medieval plays?

The presence of morality and biblical stories is a defining characteristic of medieval plays. During the medieval period, theatre often served a didactic purpose, aiming to educate the audience on moral values and religious beliefs. Many plays were based on biblical narratives or encompassed moral lessons, reflecting the spiritual and ethical concerns of society at that time.

The structure of these plays often involved allegorical characters representing virtues and sins, reinforcing the struggle between good and evil. This thematic focus on morality was crucial in a time when the church played a significant role in education and community life, using theatre as a tool for moral instruction.

Although political satire and romantic relationships were elements present in other periods or genres of literature, they were not the dominant themes in medieval drama. Greek mythology, while influential in classical theatre, did not have the same prominence in the context of medieval storytelling, which leaned more towards local and biblical contexts. Thus, the emphasis on morality and biblical stories in medieval plays aligns with the overarching cultural and religious framework of the era.