Research Paper On Everyman

The play “Everyman” is a morality play, whose author is unknown that was written in the late 15th century. Like many other morality plays from the medieval time frame, its sole purpose was to communicate a moral lesson to educated and illiterate audiences. Everyman is an allegorical figure that represents all mankind and recounts the life and death of everyman. “The author of Everyman wanted to challenge the audience to do good works in order to win God’s love and acceptance.” (Yaw Adu-Gyamfi, p.265) In the play, Everyman, the understanding of death is determined by the way people live their lives. Everyman is held responsible for his actions and his life during the time at which he is confronted by death. The play sheds light on how
“Death commands Everyman to embark on a journey from which he will not return and to be prepared to account for all his deeds, good and bad.” (Holman, 1997) Afraid of what has just told to him, Everyman tries to convince his friends to join him on his long trip but they decide to turn away from him when he needs them. “When Death informs him that he must bring before God an account of his good and bad deeds, Everyman, terrified, turns to his earthly friends, begging them to accompany him. Fellowship, Kindred, Cousin, and Goods each reject him in turn with unflinching cruelty.” (Paulson, 2017) In fact, his friend Fellowship actually tells him, “Whether ye have loved me or no, by Saint John, I will not with thee go.” (Line 287) Everyman also turns to Cousin and Kindred but they as well choose to let him face death alone. He has no support of his family or his friends. Everyman realizes that many who promised to accompany him broke the promise. (Par 186-187) Eventually, Everyman realizes he will be travelling alone so he attempts to reason with Death but it does not work. The only solution Everyman has to fix his life is to confess his sins and seek forgiveness from
It is obvious from the start of the play that God is angry because of all the sin in the world. God makes a statement in the play that humanity only seeks him when one is drowning in sin. Sin seems to be the focal point in the play according to God. Humanity has become so preoccupied with worldly possessions that they seem to have lost focus on God. In the bible God warns humanity about worshiping earthly possessions. Mark 8:36 states, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul.” God also tells humanity how to receive all those things he desires if he puts him first above all things. Going back to God’s word, Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Everyman must face his final judgment and that will be determined by his sins. He has been committing sins his entire life and does not realize the significance of it until Death approaching him when he least expects it. It seems the author perceives Death as something that comes without any signs or warning. “O Death, though comets when I had thee least in mind.” (Line 119) The author also informs the audience that Everyman sins are so overwhelming that even Good Deeds cannot save him. The only way for Everyman to obtain salvation is to accept and confess his sin to the Holy