Everyman

Definition

Everyman is a late 15th-century English morality play that uses allegorical characters to represent human traits and the universal journey of life. The play centers around the character of Everyman, who personifies all of humanity, as he faces death and seeks redemption. This work reflects the medieval Christian belief in the importance of living a virtuous life and the inevitability of death, emphasizing moral accountability.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Everyman is notable for its stark portrayal of the inevitable reality of death, presenting a direct confrontation with mortality.
2. The play emphasizes that material wealth and earthly relationships are transient and cannot accompany individuals in death.
3. In Everyman, various personified characters, such as Goods, Fellowship, and Knowledge, illustrate different aspects of human life and society's distractions from spiritual fulfillment.
4. The work serves as a reminder to the audience about the importance of good deeds and living a life aligned with Christian values to achieve salvation.
5. Everyman's journey ultimately concludes with his realization that only Good Deeds can accompany him to the afterlife, highlighting the central message of personal responsibility.

Review Questions

• How does Everyman's journey reflect the common human experience with mortality and moral choices?
  • Everyman's journey serves as a universal representation of humanity's confrontation with death and the choices one makes throughout life. The character's interactions with allegorical figures showcase the struggle between worldly desires and spiritual responsibilities. This reflection on mortality emphasizes that everyone must ultimately face their own accountability for their actions and the importance of preparing for the afterlife.
• Analyze how the use of allegorical characters in Everyman enhances its moral teachings.
  • The use of allegorical characters in Everyman strengthens its moral teachings by personifying various human traits and societal influences. Characters such as Fellowship, Goods, and Knowledge represent distractions from spiritual fulfillment. This allegorical approach allows the audience to understand that while these traits are part of human experience, they cannot provide salvation or accompany an individual in death. Thus, the play underscores the necessity of prioritizing one's spiritual life over temporal concerns.
• Evaluate the significance of Everyman within the context of medieval Christian literature and its enduring impact on moral philosophy.
  • Everyman holds significant importance within medieval Christian literature as it encapsulates core beliefs about morality, redemption, and human responsibility in a succinct dramatic form. Its exploration of themes like death and accountability reflects prevalent religious sentiments of the time, aiming to guide audiences toward virtuous living. The enduring impact lies in its continued relevance in discussions about ethics and morality today; it prompts reflection on how one leads their life in relation to their ultimate fate.

Related terms

Morality Play: A genre of medieval and early Tudor drama that uses allegorical characters to teach moral lessons and convey religious themes.

Allegory: A narrative technique in which characters and events symbolize broader concepts and ideas, often moral, social, or political in nature.

Redemption: The concept of being saved from sin or evil, often achieved through acts of repentance or faith in God, which is a central theme in many religious texts.