Persuasion In Everyman

Van Laan also states in his analysis of Everyman that in between all the episodes of asking his figures for help and company, that he is alone on stage. Van Laan refers to this act as, “a visual representation of increasing loneliness.” This can be seen as a direct example of performance theory. Everyman was alone and in solitary in between having conversations with the allegorical figures, especially Fellowship, Cousin and Kindred, Goods and Good Deeds. In the play, Everyman is alone to show that he is slowly accepting the fact that he may have to face this journey alone. None of the figures wish to accompany him on this terrifying pilgrimage. Everyman’s holds his reactions to each denial of company in complete soliloquy. One may interpret
Death was sent to inform Everyman that he needed to pay for his sins and that his day has arrived. According to Three Late Medieval Morality Plays, Death was sent to teach Everyman facts about life and death with no emotions involved. Death had to keep all feelings aside because that was part of his job. This can make Death appear as a very cold hearted allegorical figure. Death is the one who delivers all the bad news to people about their final judgment and he must keep all emotions aside. Everyman tried to persuade Death for more time once he received the news. He attempted to do this with money in order to convince Death to prolong his fate. “Yea, a thousand pounds shalt thou have – and defer this matter till another day” (123-124). When Death first approaches Everyman, he is not taken seriously due to the fact that he cannot believe it and he thinks that he can literally buy more time. Death immediately shuts down Everyman’s persuasive offer, “I give thee no respite. Come hence, and not tarry” (129). There was no getting out of it or taking the easy way because his fate stood before
The first example of this occurs when Everyman is having a conversation with Knowledge. Everyman is told by Knowledge that he should relieve his sins by scourging himself. This is seen as a ritual that people can do to show their willingness to be forgiven of their sins. “To remember thy Savior was scourged for thee” (562). Everyman chose to do the same to himself, “For now I will my penance begin; this hath rejoiced and lighten my heart, though the knots be painful and hard within” (574-576). There are a few ways to relieve yourself of sins and to show God that you were willing to do so. Everyman was told by Knowledge to flagellate himself, so that is what he did. Self-torture was one performance God required to show him you are willing to inflict pain upon yourself in order to be relieved from the sins you have committed. A lot of courage is required do this type of torture to yourself, but Everyman was searching for any way to put off his final judgment in the face of