Moral Instruction

Definition

Moral instruction refers to the practice of imparting ethical lessons and moral values through storytelling, drama, or other forms of art. This concept is particularly significant in theatre, where it serves to educate audiences about right and wrong, encouraging reflection on personal and societal ethics. In various theatrical movements, moral instruction has shaped narratives that aim to provoke thought and inspire virtuous behavior among viewers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Moral instruction played a crucial role in the auto sacramental, where religious themes were explored to convey spiritual and ethical teachings.
2. Calderón de la Barca's works often embodied moral instruction by illustrating the consequences of sin and the virtues of redemption.
3. Sentimental comedies emphasized emotional appeal while promoting moral lessons about love, family values, and personal responsibility.
4. Domestic tragedies focused on relatable human experiences that served as cautionary tales, encouraging audiences to consider the implications of their choices.
5. Both genres utilized dramatic structure to engage audiences emotionally and intellectually, ultimately aiming to instill a sense of moral awareness.

Review Questions

• How did Calderón de la Barca utilize moral instruction in his auto sacramental plays?
  • Calderón de la Barca employed moral instruction in his auto sacramental plays by crafting narratives that illustrated the spiritual journey of characters facing moral dilemmas. These plays often featured themes of sin, redemption, and divine justice, compelling audiences to reflect on their own ethical choices. The integration of allegorical figures represented virtues and vices, making the moral lessons clear while also engaging viewers emotionally through dramatic conflict.
• In what ways did sentimental comedy contribute to the evolution of moral instruction in theatre during its rise?
  • Sentimental comedy contributed to the evolution of moral instruction by shifting focus toward emotional engagement and relatable characters. By presenting everyday situations that reflected moral challenges and family dynamics, these plays encouraged audiences to empathize with characters' struggles. This genre promoted virtues such as love, honor, and duty, using comedic elements to convey serious messages about personal responsibility while reinforcing societal values.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of moral instruction as a tool for social change in the context of domestic tragedy.
  • Moral instruction served as an effective tool for social change within domestic tragedy by highlighting the consequences of individual actions on family and society. By portraying realistic struggles faced by characters in relatable settings, these plays raised awareness about issues such as class disparity and gender roles. This emotional engagement not only prompted audiences to reflect on their own lives but also inspired discussions about morality and ethics, thus fostering a greater sense of social responsibility among viewers.

Related terms

Didacticism: A teaching approach that aims to educate and instruct, often through literature or art that conveys a moral lesson.

Catharsis:

The emotional release experienced by the audience, often through the resolution of a dramatic conflict, which can lead to moral reflection.

Allegory: A narrative technique in which characters and events symbolize deeper moral or political meanings, commonly used to deliver moral lessons.