al·le·go·ry noun \ˈa-lə-ˌgȯr-ē\ : 1. a story pointing to something other than itself by implicit comparisons
2. a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation
2. a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation
Allegorical stories have existed since the Middle Ages and began with Morality Plays like Everyman. The story introduces characters whose names are common virtues like Knowledge, Good Deeds, God, Kindred, Death, etc. These characters interact and dialogue with Everyman. The story of Everyman is meant to teach a moral. Allegorical stories in nature are not so focused on plot as much as teaching the moral. These types of stories are still in existence today. Let's take a look at a few.
The Chronicles of Narnia
Author: C.S. Lewis
The Magician's Nephew tells the Creation and how evil entered Narnia.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
Prince Caspian restoration of the true religion after corruption.
The Horse and His Boy the calling and conversion of a heathen.
The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader" the spiritual life (especially in Reepicheep).
The Silver Chair the continuing war with the powers of darkness.
The Last Battle the coming of the Antichrist (the Ape), the end of the world and the Last Judgement.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
Prince Caspian restoration of the true religion after corruption.
The Horse and His Boy the calling and conversion of a heathen.
The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader" the spiritual life (especially in Reepicheep).
The Silver Chair the continuing war with the powers of darkness.
The Last Battle the coming of the Antichrist (the Ape), the end of the world and the Last Judgement.
Is the entire series of 8 novels a type of cycle play?
The Wizard of Oz
Author: L. Frank Baum
There are "claims that many of the events and characters of the book resemble the actual political personalities, events and ideas of the 1890s. Dorothy—naïve, young and simple—represents the American people. She is Everyman, led astray and seeking the way back home. Moreover, following the road of gold leads eventually only to the Emerald City, which may symbolize the fraudulent world of greenback paper money that only pretends to have value. It is ruled by a scheming politician (the Wizard) who uses publicity devices and tricks to fool the people (and even the Good Witches) into believing he is benevolent, wise, and powerful when really he is selfish and cruel. He sends Dorothy into severe danger hoping she will rid him of his enemy the Wicked Witch of the West. He is powerless and, as he admits to Dorothy, "I'm a very bad Wizard."
"Historian Quentin Taylor sees additional metaphors, including:
"Historian Quentin Taylor sees additional metaphors, including:
- The Scarecrow as a representation of American farmers and their troubles in the late 19th century.
- The Tin Man representing the industrial workers, especially those of American steel industry's.
- The Cowardly Lion as a metaphor for William Jennings Bryan."
Aesop's Fables
Author: Aesop
Final Project: Morality Play
Day One: Our final project for this unit is creating a Morality Play or Allegory. You will work in groups of 3. Each person will accept one of the following roles:
1) Lead Writer
2) Assistant
3) Technical Director
By the end of the period, please choose a moral for a morality play or the symbols for the allegory. Write the plot of your story in your Acting Notebook with 4-6 sentences.
1) Lead Writer
2) Assistant
3) Technical Director
By the end of the period, please choose a moral for a morality play or the symbols for the allegory. Write the plot of your story in your Acting Notebook with 4-6 sentences.
Day Two/Three: Begin writing your Morality Play or Allegory. Start with a list of 3 characters. From there begin creating the dialogue. Follow the format below in your Acting Notebook. The plays length should be a minimum of 3 minutes and a maximum of 5 minutes. Your objective is to finish writing the play during this class. When complete, submit for review. Make corrections based on feedback. When script is approved, begin designing your technical elements.
| Morality Play Template |
| Allegory Play Template |
Use the form below to attach final script and submit for review.