Everyman

Everyman

Introduction

The play “Everyman” is considered one of the exemplary plays of the medieval age. The morality play was composed in late 15th century or early 16th century; however, the name of the author is unknown. The play has been presented on stage many a times in 20th century. Today, the play is common theme in storyline of many plays. The play has earned admiration and praise for its moral focus. The message of morality is combined with gentle humor and vivid characters.

Major Characters and Plot Summary

Everyman is a play that focuses on delivering a religious lesson through innovative and creative allegorical figures about different characters. The play mainly portrays a character called Everyman, who is a young man and suddenly called by a character Death. Death calls him to appear before another character, called God, for judgment. Everyman is seeking help from his beloved companions Cousin and Kindred (family), Fellowship (friends), as well as, Goods (material things). All these lifelong companions desert him.

Everyman has neglected Good Deeds in his entire life and as a result, Good Deeds has rejected to accompany him. Although, Good Deeds advises Everyman to remember Knowledge (sin awareness), and Everyman is escorted to Confession by Knowledge. In turn, Confession directs Everyman to do penance. Everyman develops Good Deeds through penance and as a result, he is accompanied by Good Deeds to his final destination (Cawley, 1993).

Everyman is continuing on the journey of salvation Contrition, wearing a cloth of Contrition. On his journey for spiritual health, he Good Deeds and Knowledge are accompanied by Discretion, Strength, Beauty, and Five Wits (five senses). On the advice of Five Wits and Knowledge, Everyman has donated all his wealth to charities and received the reparation of Extreme Unction and Communion (spiritual unity). In the mean time, Five Wits and ...