Perception of Death in the Play “Everyman"

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In the play “everyman” death is depicted as something that is terribly feared as no one seemed ready for it, death is perceived as something that takes one away from the pleasures of this world. Everyman is a classic play written in the 15th century whose subject is the struggle of the soul. This is a morality play and a good example of transition play linking liturgical drama and the secular drama that came at the end of English medieval period. In the play, death is perceived as tragic and is intensely feared. The protagonist; Everyman, is a person who enjoys the pleasures of life and good company. When he is unexpectedly called by death to account to God for his actions on earth, he is thunderstruck. He is filled with sorrow and self-pity. He pleads with death to give him more time, but death informs him it is impossible and that man cannot escape the reality of death. Faced with this eventuality, Everyman desperately turns to his friends for help. As Scott states, “Everyman’s friends in the play are personifications of his qualities and possessions” (Scott 15). He has friends like Fellowship, good deeds, knowledge, and later in the play he meets Beauty, Strength, Discretion and Five Wits. Death is depicted as an individual’s affair, in which, neither one’s closest friends or closest blood relatives can give a hand in. Upon receiving the tragic news Everyman first approaches his friend Fellowship. At first he is hesitant to reveal his sorrow to Fellowship for he considers it too tragic a plight. After cajoling and assurances by Fellowship to stand by him in whatever situation, Everyman finally pours out his sorrow to Fellowship. Upon realizing that Everyman has been summoned by death, fellowship turns his back on Everyman ... ... middle of paper ... ...ningham, and Reich 40). In addition, it pays no respect to one’s material status. Death, as depicted, also takes no notice of ones beauty and knowledge. Due to these reasons, death is greatly feared for it is considered a tragedy. Works Cited Frohman Charles. Everyman: A Morality Play. Kessinger Publishing Legacy. 2004. Print. Lawrence S. Cunningham, John J. Reich. Culture and values: a survey of the humanities. USA:Wadsworth Publishing. 2009. PRINT. Scott lady D. Everyman revived: the common sense of Michael Polanyi. Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1985. Print. Walker Greg. Medieval drama: an anthology. USA: Wiley-Blackwell. 2000. Print. Rosenberg J.C. Parallels: The Morality Play Everyman And Selected Tales. UMI DISSERTATION PUBLISHING. 2011. Print. Anonymous . Everyman And Other Miracle And Morality Plays. New York:Dover Publications. 1995. Print.

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