Everyman Gender Roles

It is truly fascinating to see how two plays, Everyman and Much Ado About Nothing, that were written during different periods in time by different playwrights, have many similar traits. It is well known that drama has seemed to grow wherever men have gained the piquing interest to know- the facts, the reasons, and the cause. However, as does men change and evolve, so does the drama. Writers continue to look for the “new” way to capture the audience and express the hidden emotions or thought within each writer. Everyman was written during the medieval times in the late 15th century. During this time, there was a shift within the economy and the people. When the western Roman Empire fell, people started to move toward the countryside and live in smaller farms. Most farmers barely grew enough to feed themselves, which resulted in the
Lies are a major part in both plays. Everyman had used both lies and deceit to earn himself money, and Don John chooses to trick Claudio and Don Pedro. However, the innocent also becomes guilty when they believe the lie and decide to take action. Almost unnoticed, gender is a small part within both plays. Coincidently, the remaining characters that remain with Everyman are women including Good Deeds. As for Shakespeare’s play, Beatrice is absolutely fiery after Claudio publicly shamed her cousin, and curses her own gender: “Is he not approved in the height a villain, that hath slandered, scorned, dishonoured my kinswoman? O that I were a man! What, bear her in hand until they come to take hands; and then, with public accusation, uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour, --O God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place.” (shakespeare.mit.edu) Nevertheless, we see transformation is a theme that surrounds both play. Everyman finds his chosen companion and couples within Much Ado About Nothing repent and accept who they