EVERYMEN

Everymen

Abstract

Everyman is a one-act play written in the late 15th century. The play begins with a messenger calling on the audience to watch the play. The messenger relates to the audience that this play is a moral play about when Everyman is called in front of God. He explains that in the beginning of the Bible, God created man and everything was perfect. However man created sin and for that, Everyman is going to have to have a reckoning with God. The messenger warns that even though now the spectators think that sin is a good thing, when it comes to the end, it will make people sad. Those things which now make you happy will fade and it is then that Everyman will have to answer for his actions.

Table of Contents

Thesis Statement4

Introduction4

Discussion and Analysis5

Perception of Death5

Perception of Treatment7

Critical Analysis8

Conclusion8

Everyman

Thesis Statement

Here beginneth a treatise how the high Father of Heaven sendeth Death to summon every creature to come and give account of their lives in this world, and is in manner of a moral play.

Introduction

Everyman is an English morality play but the author is anonymous. The play was written in the 15th century and it is thought to be derived from a Dutch play with the same theme. While the author is unknown, it is believed to be written by a priest. The reason is that the play has a religious content and morale message. Everyman is the story of a man who suddenly faces with God. There are many characters in the play and one of them is Death who is sent by God to Everyman for his pilgrimage which is his last journey. When God send Death to Everyman, he asks him if he had forgotten his creator because Everyman is very much concerned with worldly things. He is in lust and interested in treasure during his life. When Death goes to Everyman to take him to his last journey, he wants him to take his full book of accounts. It means all the good and bad things that he has done during his life. As Everyman is occupied with worldly concerns only and understands that this journey will determine whether he is going to hell or heaven, he cries in vain and asks Death if he has to be alone during the journey. Death tells him that he can have company who may wish to make the journey with him and gives him some time to find one.

Discussion and Analysis

Everyman is an allegorical tale of a man who suddenly meets with his Maker. He complains of not to be ready but the time can be determined only by God. As he neglected God, he knows that his pilgrimage cannot be a good one and he fears so he needs to receive some help. After having some disappointments, Everyman listens to the instructions and asks for the forgiveness of God. When he achieves this, he can be together with Good-Deeds again who accompanies him until the very ...