Critical Analysis Of Everyman

Everyman is a medieval morality play, written in the late 15th century by an unknown author. Regarded as one of the finest of the morality plays, Everyman is said to be an adaptation to the Dutch play Elckerlyc. “It was composed around 1495, consists of 921 lines, and is preserved in four separate manuscripts. There is no record of its having ever been staged for its contemporary audience.” “everyman is the name sometimes given to the typical or average person, 'the man in the street '. The description comes from the allegorical character everyman in the sixteenth-century morality play of the same title” The failure of every man is sin. Like a scorpion delivers a deadly sting, sin spreads its immovable sting; the result-death seizes

“When Everyman finally grasps the sinister import of Death 's visit, he offers a considerable bribe, one thousand pounds, in an attempt to defer the matter (121-123)”. During the conversation of Fellowship and Everyman, I am reminded of Job and the conversation with his three friends. No one would stand and be Everyman’s mediator. Kindred offered his maid to support Everyman, but he refused the proposal. The Cousin formulates an excuse (a sore toe) not to help Everyman. Goods, an allegory of money has excuses (to brittle). Everyman places faith in friends, family and money. Goods have done his job of deceiving Everyman. Instead of taking responsibility for his own faults, Everyman places blame on Goods for his deception and misconceptions. Everyman loved Goods the best, but comes to realize that the best love should have been given to God. Everyman sees his fault and takes responsibility for his own decisions. Everyman walked on his Good Deeds. Good Deeds wouldn’t go until certain actions Everyman had to accomplish, but recommended her sister, Knowledge. Knowledge agreed to guide Everyman. Knowledge leads Everyman to Confession, after Confession has to seek mercy, receive the oil and Everyman’s name is placed in Moses