A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 02

"A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 02" by Robert Dodsley and W. Carew Hazlitt is a compilation of early English moral plays likely compiled during the mid-18th century. The collection includes various interludes, like "The Interlude of Youth" and "Lusty Juventus," which explore themes of virtue, vice, and the moral dilemmas faced by youth. The plays employ personifications of attributes such as Charity, Youth, and Humility, presenting a static moral framework that discusses the importance of righteous living. The opening of "The Interlude of Youth" introduces two primary characters, Charity and Youth, engaging in a spirited dialogue that juxtaposes the pursuit of pleasure with the virtues of morality. Charity urges Youth to abandon his frivolous ways and embrace a path of righteousness, using admonitions and warnings of the consequences associated with vice. Youth, characterized by arrogance and defiance, demonstrates a reluctance to heed the warnings, valuing his enjoyment in the present over concerns of future salvation. As the interplay continues, new characters like Riot and Pride join, collectively painting a vivid portrait of youthful folly and the challenges of moral guidance in a world full of temptations.