Everyman

Definition

Everyman is a late 15th-century English morality play that personifies the struggle of humanity to achieve salvation. The term has come to symbolize the universal human experience, showcasing how an average person navigates life's challenges and moral dilemmas. In this play, Everyman is called to account for his actions before God, which serves as a powerful reminder of the inevitability of death and the importance of living a virtuous life.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Everyman is notable for its exploration of themes like death, judgment, and the importance of good deeds in one's life.
2. The character of Everyman represents not just a single individual, but all of humanity, highlighting shared experiences and moral challenges.
3. The play emphasizes the idea that material possessions and earthly relationships cannot accompany a person after death, reinforcing the concept of spiritual accountability.
4. Key figures in the play include Death, Knowledge, Good Deeds, and other personified traits, illustrating the struggle between virtue and vice.
5. Everyman has influenced various works throughout history and remains a significant example of morality plays that convey timeless lessons about life and morality.

Review Questions

• How does Everyman's journey in the play represent the universal human experience?
  • Everyman's journey illustrates the universal human experience by depicting an ordinary individual's confrontation with death and the ensuing quest for redemption. Throughout the play, Everyman encounters various allegorical figures that represent different aspects of life, such as Good Deeds and Knowledge. This journey resonates with audiences because it reflects the shared struggles people face regarding morality, accountability, and the quest for meaning in their lives.
• Analyze how the character of Everyman serves as a vehicle for moral teachings within the play.
  • Everyman embodies the moral teachings by representing every individual who must confront their own mortality and assess their life's choices. His interactions with other characters reveal critical lessons about the transient nature of material wealth and relationships. As he seeks assistance from friends and family only to find them lacking, it underscores the idea that true salvation comes from good deeds and personal virtue rather than external support.
• Evaluate the impact of Everyman on later theatrical works and its relevance in contemporary discussions about morality.
  • Everyman's influence extends beyond its time, impacting later theatrical works by establishing a template for using allegory to convey moral messages. Its themes remain relevant today as society grapples with issues of accountability and ethical living. By addressing fundamental questions about life choices and their consequences, Everyman encourages ongoing discussions about morality in modern contexts, challenging audiences to reflect on their values and actions in pursuit of a meaningful existence.

Related terms

Morality Play: A type of medieval drama that teaches moral lessons through allegorical characters representing virtues and vices.

Allegory: A narrative technique in which characters and events symbolize deeper meanings or abstract concepts, often used to convey moral or spiritual messages.

Humanism: A cultural and intellectual movement during the Renaissance that emphasized human potential and achievements, focusing on secular subjects rather than religious themes.