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How did the Black Death and recurring plagues influence morality plays?

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Ancient Egyptian illustration from the Book of the Dead showing Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe Ani, with gods seated above and hieroglyphic text throughout. — Western theatre Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe Ani, from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, c. 1275 bce.

The Black Death and subsequent recurring plagues profoundly shaped the thematic landscape of 15th-century morality plays, fostering a darker, more somber worldview. As populations grappled with the constant threat of mortality, these plays emerged as dramatized sermons that reflected a society preoccupied with the conflict between the spirit and the flesh.1

The influence of these plagues manifested in several key ways:

Emblem of Death: The skeleton figure of death became a potent, recurring emblem, reinforcing the medieval perception of human destiny as "worm’s meat".1
Transitory Nature of Life: Morality plays emphasized the immediacy of death and the fleeting nature of earthly existence, serving as a memento mori—a reminder that all must die.12
Allegorical Struggle: By portraying human life as a pilgrimage, these plays depicted the soul’s journey through a world filled with vices and virtues, urging audiences to choose good over evil in light of their inevitable end.1

This preoccupation with mortality was not merely a reaction to disease but also a moral response to the era's expanding wealth and material luxury, encouraging audiences to reflect on the vanity of earthly pursuits.13