The Structure of the Castle of Perseverance

Abstract

The essay attempts to suggest some possibilities of positing a typological unity and structure for The Castle of Perseverance after first surveying the critical context. It comments on aspects such as necessity and probability, the figural technique, multiplicity and sequential narrative (an idea that has been taken up by many writers). The analogy of organic form is also regarded as being helpful, and relationships especially should be examined. The emphasis in the article falls mainly on the characterization of the central figure and the medieval use of typology. The typological model is suggested to be a useful approach to the structure of the play. Examples are then provided of typology acting as a unifier of the play