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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 a typical human being. Death is a messenger in the play who has been sent by God to summon Everyman. God is of course our Creator. At the beginning of God’s first speech in the play we know right away that he is angry with us when he says “I perceive here in my majesty, How that all the creatures be to me unkind, Living without dread in worldly prosperity: Of ghostly sight the people be

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