Premium Essay

Everyman

In:

Submitted By keal101
Words 503
Pages 3
Research Paper (Everyman)
3-8-2013
Mikeal Anderson

Everyman is a metaphorical play that illustrates the value of life and death. Everyman was written by an anonymous author, but many believe that it was a priest or monk who would normally write morality plays. Everyman is a character that is supposed to represent your everyday human. In the story God decides that Everyman has become obsessed with wealth and other materialistic things. Resulting in Him teaching Everyman a lesson which is death. Death can be treated and perceived differently in many societies due to religious and moral beliefs. In the story, the author sees death as just important as life. The message that can be taken from this story is that death does not care who you are. It is impossible for anyone to escape death. The author sees death as a man’s final stand, in which there is no return. No man knows when death will come aside from God, so no man can prepare for it. The characters that the author use are to represent realistic characteristics that a lot people have and lose throughout their lives. Good deeds, knowledge, discretion, strength, Everyman’s five wits and beauty. The story begins with Death approaching Everyman to let him know that his life is coming to an end. In response, Everyman tries to bribe Death by giving him a thousand pounds but he declines by saying if he wanted wealth all wealth could be his. Death also tells him to find someone to accompany him on his journey. Everyman firsts encounters Fellowship, who agrees to go with him on his journey, even if it leads to hell. When Everyman tells him that Death has summoned him, Fellowship retracts his promise and refuses to go. Everyman then finds Kindred and Cousin, but when he asks them to travel alongside him, they make ridiculous excuses. After his friends and family abandon him, Everyman turns to his Goods.

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Everyman

...The play “Everyman” is about a complacent Everyman who is informed by Death of his approaching end. The play shows the hero’s progression from despair and fear of death to a “Christian resignation that is the prelude to redemption.” Throughout the play Everyman is deserted by things that he thought were of great importance portrayed by characters that take the names of the things they represent. Throughout the play Everyman asks the characters to accompany him on his journey to death. He starts with Fellowship, his friends, who promises to go with him until they are informed of the destination. They desert Everyman at that point. He calls upon people who are closer to him, Kindred and Cousin, his kinsmen. They also promise to “live and die together,” but, when asked to accompany Everyman, they remind of the things he never did for them and desert him. Everyman then calls upon Goods, his material possessions. Goods explains to him that they cannot go on the journey with him, so he is once again deserted. Good Deeds then gets called upon. They say that even though they want to go on the journey, they are unable to at the moment. They advise Everyman to speak to Knowledge. Knowledge is the one that brings Everyman on the journey to cleanse himself. They first go to Confession, which gives him a penance. Once he does his penance, Good Deeds is able to rise from the ground. They then call upon Discretion, Strength, Five Wits, and Beauty. At first they follow him on his journey...

Words: 365 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Everyman Death

...| Custom Perceptions and Treatment of Death in Everyman essay paper writing serviceSample Essays > Religion > Perceptions and Treatment of Death in Everyman > Buy an essay ← Womens Rights | Contemporary Issues in Eastern Religion → | Buy Perceptions and Treatment of Death in Everyman essay paper onlineDeath is treated and perceived in many societies as the taker of human life. Death is loathed treated with fear and is cruel and unforgiving. Similarly I think of death in the same line because it takes away our loved ones from us, it cannot be stopped, is inevitable and brings pain, grieve and sorrow in people's life's .Death always casts a dark shadow over peoples life. Death is treated as all gloom since an individual is severed from the living. The interpretation of death lies in one belief about death and life. The interpretation of death is relative depending on a persons view point on the same. In the biblical and Christian interpretation the death of a person is defined either as being good or bad depending on the kind of life the person lived. Thus for a person who lived a good life thus his death is good unlike one who led a wicked and bad life. From a Christian perspective those who die in sin will live in eternal pain and suffering in a world of fire and brimstone. However for the righteous they hope for greater and wonderful things in the next life. Theirs will be a life of singing and dancing sharing n the glory of God. To them they will head to paradise.Thus...

Words: 1975 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Death, the Taker of Life

...Death is treated and perceived in many societies as the taker of human life. Death is loathed treated with fear and is cruel and unforgiving. Similarly I think of death in the same line because it takes away our loved ones from us, it cannot be stopped, is inevitable and brings pain, grieve and sorrow in people's life's .Death always casts a dark shadow over peoples life. Death is treated as all gloom since an individual is severed from the living. The interpretation of death lies in one belief about death and life. The interpretation of death is relative depending on a persons view point on the same. In the biblical and Christian interpretation the death of a person is defined either as being good or bad depending on the kind of life the person lived. Thus for a person who lived a good life thus his death is good unlike one who led a wicked and bad life. From a Christian perspective those who die in sin will live in eternal pain and suffering in a world of fire and brimstone. However for the righteous they hope for greater and wonderful things in the next life. Theirs will be a life of singing and dancing sharing n the glory of God. To them they will head to paradise. Thus death can not be classified as bad and cruel if one has lived a righteous and good life. This is so because such a person always plans to move a better place in the future. Thus death is only a stepping stone or means of transition to a better life hoped for. This is a natural part of a person's life, in...

Words: 1931 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Everyman

...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...

Words: 700 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Everyman

... March 8, 2012 English 102 “Everyman” Research Paper Thesis Statement: “Everyman” is an English morality play that uses allegorical characters to depict what Everyman values throughout his life. Everyman has not been living a virtuous life focused on God and his kingdom but instead places a high value on “worldly riches” and goods. As the play progresses Everyman is summoned by Death and realizes he is not ready to die and doesn’t want to do it alone. He repents of his sins and looks for someone to accompany him on his journey to give an account of his life to God. He quickly realizes that the things he held dear to his heart during his earthly walk will fade and abandon him; he must die alone and his Good Deeds are all he can take with him into heaven. Outline: I. Introduction II. Summary of the Characters III. Authors Perception of Death IV. Conclusion “Everyman” is an English morality play whose author is unknown. It dates back to the 16th century and was first seen in England. The play depicts a man who is caught up in a secular world and is more concerned with worldly riches than nurturing his spiritual life. He seems content until Death is sent to tell him his life is over and he must now give an account to God of how he lived his life. The author uses allegory characters to describe moral qualities and abstractions in Everyman’s life. (Allegory, 2010) The central character in the play is Everyman; the author uses him to represent...

Words: 1518 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Everyman

...Author’s Perception of Death “The medieval morality play Everyman, personifying such abstractions as Fellowship and Good Deeds, recounts the death journey of Everyman” (Allegory, 2010). The author uses symbolic names for characters to emphasize the moral of the play. “The characters in an allegory often have no individual personality, but are embodiments of moral qualities and other abstractions” (Allegory, 2010) The author sees death as important as life, especially when death comes to makes its claim. The message that the author conveys is that no one can escape death. The author also sees that death does not care about who you are or what your status may be. The author sees death as man’s final destination, from which there is no return. No one knows when death will come, and no one is prepared when it does. The characters that the author use is a good representation of the characteristics many people have and lose throughout their lives. Good deeds, knowledge, discretion, strength, Everyman’s five wits and beauty. As the play begins, it is evident that God has control over death and death does not come on its own. The purpose of death is to seek those who are not living by God’s law and to bring them to stand in judgment before God. The important question that the author asks is what happens to you when you die. Everyman looks at different areas of his life that he is unwilling to give up. Throughout the play, as Everyman takes his journey he begins to realize that the things...

Words: 698 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Everyman

...Everyman by Unknown Author ENGL 102-B33: Literature and Composition Fall B 2013 Turabian October 8, 2013 Everyman, a medieval morality play was written by an unknown author in 1495 and contains 921 lines. Regarded as one of the finest of the morality plays, Everyman is said to be an adaptation to the Dutch play Elckerlyc., The Chambers Dictionary of Eponyms defines “everyman” as the typical or average person, ‘the man in the street.’ The allegorical character Everyman is portrayed as the classified definition. The failure of every man is sin. Like a scorpion delivers a deadly sting, sin spreads its immovable sting; the result-death seizes its allegiance. ““. . . Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin . . .”— (I Corinthians 15:55-56, New International Version). Before sin yielded its entrance, there was no account of Death. Sin is how Death marked Everyman. The character Death is symbolic of physical death and Everyman is symbolic of the entire human race. Physical death is predestined and removes the physical life of all humanity. Death is named by God, His mighty messenger (63); it can be perceived that Death is a forceful messenger of God. Not forceful to feel threatened or intimidation, but forceful in a sense of an “eye opener.” Under God’s rule, Death dispatches and conveys God’s message. Death is summoned by God, and is obedient to God’s submissive will and authority to approach Everyman and inform him of his inescapable journey...

Words: 2058 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Everyman

...Everyman, like other morality plays, seeks to present a religious lesson through allegorical figures representing abstract characteristics. The play centers on the life of everyman, a wealthy man, who is suddenly called by death to appear before God for judgment. On his journey to meet God, he seeks assistance from lifelong companions Fellowship (Friends), kindred and cousins (family), and Goods (material wealth), but all abandoned him. Because he has neglected her in life, good deed is too weak to accompany everyman on his journey. She advises him to call on knowledge (awareness of sin). Knowledge escorts everyman to confession, who directs him to do penance. In the process of everyman’s penance, good deed is strengthened and is finally able to accompany everyman to his final reckoning. Everyman, now wearing the garment of contrition, continues his journey. Until now it was a quest for spiritual health but increasingly it is showing the qualities of a pilgrimage to salvation. Everyman, knowledge, and good deeds are joined on the journey by beauty, strength, disgretion, and five wits. After donating his wealth to charity, Everyman follows the advice of knowledge and five wits and receives the sacraments of communion and extreme unction. Meanwhile, knowledge and five wits converse on the subject of corrupt priests in the church. Approaching his grave, Everyman is again deserted by all his companions except knowledge and good deeds. As the story closes, knowledge remains...

Words: 512 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Everyman

...“Everyman,” the author’s perception and treatment of death APA Format May 7, 2015 “Everyman,” the author’s perception and treatment of death Thesis Statement: In the Christian Morality play, Everyman, death is used to remind the audience about the true value of life. Outline I. Introduction A. The play teaches a moral lesson to the audience B. Characters have symbolic meanings C. “Everyman” is the name of an English play with an unknown author, and the theme is based on morals and good deeds of individuals. II. Summary of symbolic characters A. Discuss the character Everyman 1. Role in the play 2. Symbolic name B. Discuss the story of Everyman 1. Introduce the different allegory characters 3. Death, Good Deeds, Knowledge, etc. C. Discuss the plot of the story 1. Discuss the end of the story and the results 2. Discuss the Fate of Everyman III. Author’s Perception of death A. The author’s views and how it relates to the story 1. Death is the final stage of life 2. Death comes whenever Author’s treatment of death A. What happens when death comes 1. Death does not warn it is coming 2. Moral lesson Conclusion Everyman, the author’s perception and treatment of death "Everyman" is the title of an English perform having an unidentified writer, and theme is dependant on morals and great actions of people. The storyline of the play revolves around a person who's trapped in a secular globe and is more intrigued...

Words: 1877 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Everyman

...This is portrayed in the play Everyman and Abraham and Isaac. Both plays put forward actions by its characters that depict ways they decide to deal with what has happened. In Abraham and Isaac, emotional attachment is portrayed through Abraham. As he is both emotionally attached to his son and god, he consoles himself in order to sacrifice his son Isaac. In this play, human actions signify the loyalty Abraham has toward god. Everyman demonstrates a different type of emotional attachment. Characters in this play seem to be projections of Everyman himself. Everyman pleads with his projections to accompany him on his day of reckoning. Good deeds is the only one that accompanies Everyman. There is a struggle for soul here, also known as psychomachia. Everyman is at conflict with his projections, and this causes him to feel abandonment, which ties to human suffering and injustice in one’s life. Everyman is so wholly attached to his projections, as they are a part of him, he feels completely deserted when most of them fail to save him. Both plays bring forward ways to deal with suffering and injustice. God is the ultimate power in these plays, and a journey signifies sacrifice. Abraham wrestles with his choice of scarifying Isaac; he pleads with god, but does not disobey him. Everyman also tries to plead with death; he does this by trying to bribe death. Both plays are an exceptional portrayal of how human kind deals with suffering and injustice. Everyman portrays a reflection of humanity...

Words: 516 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Everyman

...“EveryMan” By. Unknown Author In the drama play “EveryMan” is very interesting play to me. It is a late fifteenth century morality play. My thesis of this drama play would be how people can get salvation, and how the person in the play can get save and give their life to God and how people should behave. This drama play also deals with death and is foregrounded when, early in play, a personified death appears at God's summons. In the drama play “Everyman wanted to to good deeds and good works. He had to have faith and trust in God. In order to get save we must repent and give our heart to God.In this drame play “Everyman” deals with temptation and must perform good deed to order to repent for their earthly sins. The play “Everyman” does not deal with realistic issues, such as beauty, strength or wits. When I was reading the drama play I didn't understand the play when it stated at the end of the play Everyman calls out for Jesus to be save, and he called up to heaven, but only take his good deeds with him. When you do good by people God will will bless us more and more. We must want to accept God's love and his acceptance. People should always want to do good work, in order to have a relationship with God. In my point of view jesus died for our sins, He want us to love our sisters and brothers in Christ. In the drama play the character everyman went through a lot in his life. We going to go through problems regardless in life. We have to pray to God to change our life...

Words: 862 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Everyman

...Morality Play Everyman: Concepts of Death English 102: Literature and Composition APA Thesis Statement: The main character known by the name “Everyman” is representative of all of God’s people and the subsequent journey each must take in order to make the Presence of God their dwelling place as well as the pitfalls that must be avoided along the way. Outline: Introduction Thesis Statement Summoning of Everyman God Death Author’s Perception of Death Biblical Concept of Death Everyman’s Perception of death Seeking Traveling Companions Journey Repentance Death Conclusion Morality plays were written to convey a simple moral lesson to the audience or the readers. One such example is the play “Everyman” which was written in the late fifteenth century by an unknown author. Everyman is an allegorical play because it has two levels of meaning. One level of meaning is seen through the eyes of God. The other level is seen in how Everyman views life. The main character known by the name “Everyman” is representative of all God’s people and the subsequent journey each must take in order to make the Presence of God their dwelling place as well as the pitfalls that must be avoided along the way. The protagonist is symbolic of people who seek salvation through their good deeds. One theme highlighted in this play is the transitory...

Words: 2515 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Everyman

...Everyman English 102 Summer 2016 Redith Vance L27869992 APA Redith Vance Liberty University Online Everyman Thesis: Death is something that not all of us sit and think about. Nor is it something we are ever truly prepared for. So in this play, when Death came knocking – Everyman was not prepared for what he was about to go through. I. Introduction II. Plot Summary III. Summary of the Allegorical Characters IV. The Author’s Understanding of Death V. Conclusion The English Play Everyman is one of the most used morality plays around. The anonymous author has really captured the meaning of death and how it can not be escaped, and it is not something we should fear. We should humbly embrace our death to meet our glorious maker. Everyman realizes that he can not pay “Death” any amount of money to give him more time on Earth. He should bravely take the journey to meet God, and accept what will be. His heavenly father is calling for him, and now he has to stand for judgement. Everyman is met in the beginning of the play by Death, whom God sends to collect Everyman. Once he learns of his journey he must take, he is told that he is allowed to bring anyone who will make the trip with him along. He meets Fellowship walking down he road, and Fellowship promises not to leave him until his dying day. He tells him he will do whatever Everyman needs....

Words: 1540 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Everyman

...Powell v. Alabama Facts- An group of African-American teenagers were on a freight train through Alabama. They got into a fight with some white youths, throwing the white boys from the train. A message was sent, requesting all blacks be removed from the train. Two white girls on the train testified that they had been raped by six different youths in turn. The youths were taken into custody. The community was very hostile, as a mob met the youths. The trial judge appointed “all members of the bar” for the purpose of the arraignment. The defendants themselves were illiterate and “ignorant”. They were all tried separately, each trial lasting a day, convicted, and sentenced to death. Issue- Whether the defendants had sufficient counsel. Whether the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment had been violated. Held- No. The Court noted that when counsel was in place that neither the defense counsel nor the court could say what a prompt and thoroughgoing investigation might disclose as to facts as there had been no proper investigation, and no opportunity to do so. Given the hostile circumstances, the illiterate status of the defendants, the close surveillance, their isolation from their families, and that they stood in deadly peril of their lives, the failure of the trial court to give them reasonable time and opportunity to secure counsel was a clear denial of due process. Discussion- The necessity of counsel is so important and urgent that the failure of the trial...

Words: 271 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Everyman

...Poetry Essay “The Road Not Taken” By: Robert Frost English 102 In Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken”, he creates a negative tone which reflects the difficult choices humans make in life. It is about taking chances with major life choices and the uncertainties that one may face in life. Some of the themes in “The Road Not Taken” are individualism. The speaker makes a choice to go his own way by taking the road that is less traveled. Another theme is caution. Before the speaker decides to the “the road less traveled” the speaker decides to take time to think about taking the other road. Commitment is another theme in “The Road Not Taken”. The speaker does not have second thoughts about the road he decides to take which is the “road less traveled”. The speaker also has accepted the decision he has made to take the road less traveled. The “Road Not Taken” does have some symbolism. It is about actual and figurative roads which represents the roads that we drive and walk on. As the speaker of the poem states “every road we take, there is a road we don’t take”. Even if we make a wrong turn and take a different road these decisions may make us have changes in our lives and we will always think about the roads we did not take. The identity of the narrator is unclear. The poem does not state who the speaker is or the physical appearance of the speaker. It is left up to our imagination on what the speaker’s physical appearance is. I would describe the speaker...

Words: 771 - Pages: 4