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Everyman

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Submitted By lisagarner
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Tristan Brophy
English 12
February 11, 2015

Everyman

Everyman is an attempt to portray the significance of man’s morality; it focuses on faith based on works. The focus is not on good deeds already obtained but on locating said deeds before proceeding to death. Everyman noticeably centers on the Catholic religion that was prevalent during medieval times, unlike the Protestant view that bases religion on faith alone. It was very important that people are aware of the fate of their souls if they ignored good deeds. Everyman made it apparent to everyone that without “good deeds” they would not to heaven. It did not require that these good deeds transpire over time but that they can be found through “knowledge”, before death came.

The interpretation of this play is that one’s eternity depends on the good works that they do in life. This play makes an effort to explain the need for salvation and God in one’s life. It is considered a morality play which focus’ on what behavior is customary and accepted as praiseworthy and respectable. However, when Death comes, it does not demand that Everyman be ready instantaneously to give account for his life. Death gives notice and warns him when he says, “See thou make thee ready shortly”. Therefore giving Everyman the opportunity to make himself ready for death.

Everyman looks to Fellowship for comfort, after becoming aware of his failure in the works department. He does not look for his works to save him from his fate, rather for companionship for his journey. He begins to realize that he is in a serious dilemma and he wants to find a way to ease his heartache. He knows that Fellowship cannot change his fate, instead, hopes that it will ease his pain. He quickly learns that no comfort is there for him. He quickly learns that Fellowship will only follow to place where than can “eat and drink and make

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