When Angel Welcomes Everyman

An important thematic point in Everyman is when Angel declares that Everyman is accepted into Heaven. Suspense builds throughout the play and it leads up to this moment. Not only does Everyman not know if he’ll be allowed into Heaven, but the audience doesn’t know either. When Angel welcomes Everyman through the gates of Heaven the audience can think about the reason he was accepted. The reason may not be clear to everyone, but it’s one of the moral instructions of Everyman. Following Everyman through his journey the audience grows to understand Everyman’s character. They are able to weigh his character through different perspectives and judge for themselves whether his sins should be forgiven. We see Everyman presented through Death’s eyes. Death see’s Everyman as a materialistic, ignorant man who performs ill-deeds. After meeting Good-Deeds, we know this to be true. Everyman’s good-deeds are weak, because he has committed too many ill-deeds. However, even though Everyman is a sinful person he’s still accepted into Heaven. This hits upon the important moral of the story. Everyman confessed his sins. The only reason he’s allowed into Heaven is because of his confession. The confession of sins overpowers the actual action of sins. Once Everyman prayed for forgiveness and confessed his
sins Good-Deeds was able to walk. The few good-deeds Everyman performed Another interesting thing to note about this scene is the way it would’ve been presented during the 13th century.
After discussing pageant wagons it’s important to think about a scene with both a Heavenly-sphere and mundane sphere. On the pageant wagon would most likely be the Heavenly-sphere because it’s elevated and could signify Heaven’s importance. The Angel would’ve been a part of Heaven and Everyman could’ve been on the ground. The ground would’ve represented his mortal life. Everyman would be level with the audience, which would be representative of their similarities. Everyone will commit sins, but the only way to repent is to
confess. However, Everyman could’ve been on the wagon with Angel. This could’ve signified the final step of his pilgrimage. Everyman originally refused to accept Death’s calling. He attempted to bribe him and request another day of life. Once he realized this wasn’t an option, he pleaded with his friends, family and material things to accompany him. This presented Everyman in a poor light, because he was asking loved ones to give up their lives and face judgment. Finally with Knowledge he admits his wrongdoings and pleads for forgiveness. Everyman went from a sinful person living a life of ignorance to a person opening himself to God and accepting his sins. This pilgrimage could’ve put him on the pageant wagon with Angel. Overall,