“all the wealthy people have left, and god has followed them… “

What role does religion and morality play in certain character’s perceptions of the disease? Throughout the play, we encounter both Snelgrave’s and Darcy futile attempts at justifying the spread of the disease while, at the same time, ensuring their own security.

“When the rich die, it’s harder to tell why God took them; they’re clean, attend the masses, give alms. But something rotten lurks… A fine set of clothes do not always attest to a fine set of morals.”

While Snelgrave may revert back to religion to find solace. It hardly seems that any of the character’s in this play would consider themselves morally sound. The reality of something being hidden below the surface is one that all the character’s in this play deal with. Every single character in this play is actively concealing an imperfection, fabrication, defect.. (both physical and otherwise). No one is exactly who they seem to be which makes the gradual breakdown that we witness in the play almost inevitable.  Because without a sound mind and stable character, we are more easily corrupted.