Everyman Paper

881 Words2 Pages

Everyman is an English morality play. The author of this play is unknown. Everyman was first introduced in England during the 15th century. It is known to be an early medieval play that is also connected to church drama. The play is about a man who seems content with his life, until Death appears to him and tells him about his end. The author has used symbolic names to represent characters in this play. The names of these characters are listed below: Everyman Messenger God Death Fellowship Kindred Cousin Goods Good Deeds Knowledge Confusion Beauty Strength Discretion Five Wits Angel Doctor We see these characters as struggles that every human being on the face of the earth has to deal with at some point in life. “Everyman” shows us that in the end, all that we are left with is our good deeds. We have nothing else that will truly matter when the end comes. The character Death is a messenger sent by God to summon Everyman. In the beginning of the play, God speaks about his death on the cross to give people life, mentions the seven deadly sins, which are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. He states that people live for their own pleasures, and how some have forgotten and neglected Him. God commands Death to go to Everyman and to summon him to heaven to make his reckoning. Death goes to Everyman and tells him that it is time for him to die and to face judgment. When Everyman hears this, he realizes that he is not ready, and he tries to convince Death to give him more time. Death ends up denying this request, however he allows Everyman to bring along one companion for the journey, someone who can speak on his behalf. Fellowship has promised to be his friend and to go wherever Everyman goes, but when Fellowship lear... ... middle of paper ... ... the truth about life and death. Good Deeds alone could not have strength until faith was the foundation of Everyman. Notice that when Everyman made his penance Good Deeds became stronger. Faith and Good Deeds go together. The author made it clear that you cannot go to heaven with good deeds alone, but that getting into heaven is accepting Christ as your own personal Savior. Everyman may have done a few good deeds, but it was not enough to get into heaven, Everyman needs the saving grace that only God can provide. This morality play is simple in its story. “Everyman” makes emphasis on what is inevitable to every human being: death. One should begin his or her life making amends for the end of one’s life. Earthly treasures are only here for a short time, but life after death is eternal. One should live a life full of holiness and purity. One that is pleasing to God.

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