The Interlude of Wealth and Health

In Short

This sixteenth-century morality play functions as an allegorical warning about the fragility of a stable society. The titular characters—Wealth, Health, and Liberty—initially congratulate themselves on their own greatness, only to be infiltrated and corrupted by the antagonistic figures of Ill-Will and Shrewd-Wit. The plot follows their inevitable decline into discord and their eventual restoration through the intervention of a figure representing Remedy. Its enduring interest lies in its stark, rhythmic exploration of the tension between public stability and the destructive, often comical, nature of human vice.

The Story

The drama begins with an uneasy meeting between Wealth and Health, who initially argue over their relative importance to the realm. Wealth is proud, boastful of his substantial holdings, and dismissive of others, while Health takes a more cautionary tone, noting that wealth is mutable, haughty, and prone to decay. When Liberty enters, feeling ignored, the three eventually reconcile, agreeing that they are mutually dependent. This fragile peace is shattered by the arrival of Ill-Will and Shrewd-Wit, two tricksters who insinuate themselves into the company. Despite some initial suspicion, the trio of protagonists is seduced by the promise of service and convenience offered by these newcomers, allowing them to remain.

The situation soon descends into chaos. A foreign soldier named Hance introduces further discord, and the presence of Ill-Will and Shrewd-Wit leads the central trio into neglect and poor governance. The household falls into disarray, marked by revelry, theft, and the corruption of the once-orderly state. It becomes clear that Wealth is wasting away, Health is sickly and wearing a kercher, and Liberty is effectively imprisoned by the machinations of his new "servants."

Realizing the severity of their plight, the protagonists seek out the noble figure of Remedy. Representing discretion, justice, and the authority of the sovereign, Remedy arrives to survey the damage. He is appalled by the state of the realm and the influence of the two knaves. A series of confrontations ensues where Ill-Will and Shrewd-Wit attempt to deflect blame, speak in confusion, and evade capture. Remedy remains steadfast, stripping away their pretenses and eventually ordering their imprisonment. Through this act of discipline, the realm is restored. Wealth, Health, and Liberty acknowledge their errors and the necessity of being guided by wisdom and order rather than their own transient impulses. The play concludes with a fervent, patriotic prayer for the preservation of the Queen and the continued prosperity of the English state, signaling that the health of the kingdom is inextricably linked to the moral rectitude of its guiding figures.

How It Unfolds

The initial boast Wealth and Health meet, each asserting their own superiority and essential role in the realm. Their pride leads to a heated debate about the nature of treasure and the inherent instability of material gain.

The arrival of Liberty Liberty enters feeling slighted by his long absence and demands to be included in the company. After a brief period of friction, the three agree to unite, foolishly believing they have secured their collective future.

The entry of vice Ill-Will and Shrewd-Wit arrive, offering their services to the protagonists under the guise of helpfulness. Despite their clear lack of virtue, the protagonists are swayed by the promise of convenience and hire them.

The descent into chaos The influence of the new servants leads to a rapid decline in the household, characterized by theft, drunkenness, and the arrival of disruptive foreign elements. Wealth, Health, and Liberty lose their status and find themselves in dire, impoverished straits.

The intervention of Remedy Remedy enters the scene and is immediately recognized as the necessary force for restoration. He confronts the protagonists, who finally admit their corruption and acknowledge their desperate need for his guidance.

The final judgment Remedy faces down the two tricksters, who try to deceive him with false witnesses and legalistic jargon. He ultimately prevails, sending them to prison and restoring the order of the realm through a final, formal prayer for the Queen.

The People

• Wealth: A boisterous, self-important figure who represents the material prosperity of the nation. He is initially arrogant and blind to the fragility of his own status, ending the play humbled and reliant on the wisdom of others.
• Health: The more grounded brother who acts as the voice of caution. He recognizes the mutability of wealth but is ultimately vulnerable to the same deceptions that plague his companions, requiring external intervention to recover.
• Liberty: A character who embodies the desire for freedom but lacks the discipline to manage it. He is quickly cast aside by the others and later imprisoned, showing that liberty without restraint is unsustainable.
• Ill-Will and Shrewd-Wit: The primary antagonists. They are persistent, manipulative, and intentionally disruptive, serving as the catalysts for the protagonists' downfall. They thrive on confusion and dishonesty until they are finally imprisoned.
• Remedy: The authoritative figure of order. He represents the sovereign's power to correct the failings of the state. He is the necessary anchor who brings clarity, reform, and ultimate stability to the chaos.

In Its Own Voice

"Welth is mutable, and that iu shame / And welth is hauty and proude of name / And welth is cruell, and in great blame / For welth ts euer wauerynge."

Health warns his brother that his material status is neither permanent nor morally sufficient.

"I am he that ought for to be well knowen / Of you thre specially, and of duetie / Great payne and busines as for mine owne / For you I haue taken because I loue you hartely"

Remedy introduces himself as the essential, if overworked, force tasked with maintaining the stability of the trio.

"The ende of yl wyl and shrewd wyt is but shame / Though they reygne a while, wrongfully and uniust / yet truth wyll appeare and their misdedes blame"

Remedy concludes the drama by affirming that while vice may flourish briefly, it cannot withstand the light of truth and proper authority.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the inherent tension between individual desire and the requirements of a stable, ordered society. The book argues that prosperity and health are not self-sustaining; they require constant vigilance against the "shrewd" elements of human character that thrive on chaos. It asks fundamental questions about the nature of authority: can a realm truly govern itself if its primary components—wealth, health, and liberty—are left to their own impulses? Ultimately, the play posits that the only true security for a nation lies in a balance between these forces, mediated by a firm, corrective authority that acts in the public interest.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in the history of English drama will find this piece a fascinating glimpse into the didactic, allegorical style of the sixteenth century. It is a work of high intent, meant to entertain through "pastyme" while reinforcing the social order of its day. However, one must be prepared for the difficulties of the text; it is written in a challenging, archaic style with frequent, erratic misprints and a structure that feels alien to modern sensibilities. The prose is often repetitive, and the moralizing tone is heavy-handed by modern standards.

Yet, there is a certain charm in the bluntness of the characters and the raw, unpolished energy of the dialogue. It captures a worldview where the health of the state is a direct reflection of the moral choices of its people. For those who enjoy peeling back the layers of older literature, the play offers a window into a period where drama was a tool for civic instruction rather than mere diversion. It is not an easy read, but it is a rewarding one for those curious about the anxieties that have shaped our cultural understanding of wealth and order for centuries.