Mankind (play)

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Mankind is an English medieval morality play written around 1470. The author is unknown, though a monk named Hyngham is believed to have copied the text. It survives in the Macro Manuscript, a collection now at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., along with Wisdom and The Castle of Perseverance. The play probably originated in East Anglia, near Cambridge and the Lynn area of Norfolk.

The story uses a simple moral allegory about Mankind, a representation of all humans, who falls into sin and then seeks repentance. Mercy speaks to the audience about living a Christian life, but Mischief interrupts. After a page goes missing, New Guise, Nowadays, and Nought arrive to mock Mercy and tempt Mankind. Mankind initially resists but is later challenged by Titivillus, a devil who trains the others to ruin his life. Titivillus can be seen by the audience but not by Mankind, and his tricks lead to distraction, hard work, and spiritual doubt. Eventually Mankind is pulled into joining the vices, and Mercy returns to urge him to repent.

Scholars note the play’s unusual mix of serious theology with lively, sometimes vulgar, humor. Five of the seven speaking roles are comic villains, giving Mankind a lighter tone than other moralities. The language and audience participation are important features: the play even asks the audience to help pay for Titivillus’s entrance and to sing along in a bawdy song. The performance emphasizes that people can be tempted and must continually seek mercy, holding to perseverance in the Christian life.

In the end, Mankind must decide to turn back to Mercy. He initially resists but finally asks for forgiveness, while Mercy reminds him that mercy is always available if he repents. The play closes with a call for the audience to repent as well.