Everyman

What are the themes of Everyman?

-Death is inevitable, and no one escapes it. -Every man must be ready to stand before God and account for their time on earth. -The only thing that comes with you to your death are your actions.

"See thou make thee ready shortly."

-Death summons Everyman, who tries to bribe him, ask for more time, and asks to bring a friend.

What personal attributes are redeemed by grace?

-Discretion (circumspection) -Strength (physical) -Beauty (intense pleasure or deep satisfaction) -Five Wits (personification of the 5 senses)

"Remember Beauty, Five Wits, Strength, and Discretion They all at the last do every man forsake Save his Good Deeds there doth he take."

-Doctor recapitulating the meaning of the play...only your Good Deeds go to the grave, nothing of the physical body.

" In alms half my good I will give with my hands twain in the way of charity with good intent, and the other half still shall remain in queth to be returned there it ought to be".

-Everyman gives away his worldly goods. -Gives half to the Church, and sets aside the other half to be returned to the people the money rightfully belonged to.

"All thing faileth, save God alone."

-Everyman journeys to the grave with only one companion, Good Deeds. -Knowledge doesn't go into the grave, but waits to see if Everyman goes to heaven or hell.

In the prologue, what does the Messenger and God say? What kind of metaphors do Everyman and Death use?

-Messenger: man is sinful, and will have his reckoning. -God: humanity is too materialistic, and after their own pleasures. -Business/accounting (results from merchants/trade becoming more important)

When Everyman turns to Good Deeds, she is too weak to help him. Why? To whom does she send him for help? " Everyman, I have understanding that ye be summoned account to make before Messias of Jerusalem King; and you do by me, that journey with you will I take."

-She is kept down by Everyman's sins. -She sends him to Knowledge (knowledge of salvation) for help. Good deeds knows Everyman's fate, but still wants to go with him. Turning point in play since he acknowledges his sins and is on his way to salvation.

What doubts does Knowledge express about priests? Notice that Everyman is off-stage at this point and does not hear what Knowledge says.

-Talks about corruption in the Church-priests have children, sleep with women, sin. -However Knowledge says that people do need to follow Priests.

What happens to Beauty, Strength, Discretion, and Five-Wits when Everyman comes to the grave? What do you think this means?

-They decide not to go with him. -They are the physical body, not the spiritual body. Therefore, they are of no use to Everyman, and leave.

"Everyman, farewell now, for verily I will not go with you. Also of mine own an unready reckoning I have to account; therefore I make tarrying."

Cousin also says no because his account isn't ready.

"In prosperity men friends may find, which in adversity be full unkind."

Everyman realizes that time spent with friends will not lead to one's salvation. They turn on him when times are rough. They are not ready for their own accounts to be rendered.

"and yet if thou wilt eat and drink and make good cheer, or haunt to women the lusty company I would not forsake you while the day is clear"

Fellowship saying he will eat, drink, be with women, and kill for Everyman. However, he won't go when Everyman says they will not come back.

Name the allegorical characters of the play.

Fellowship, Kindred, Cousin, Goods, Good Deeds, Knowledge, Confession, Beauty, Strength, Discretion, 5 Wits.

Everyman moves from what to what?

From fear and despair to acceptance and resignation about his death.

"I thank god, now I can walk and go and am delivered of my sickness and woe".

Good deeds can now rise from the ground, as she has been restored and can accompany Everyman to his death.

"Nay Everyman, I say no. As for a while I was lent thee; A season thou hast had me in prosperity. My condition is man's soul to kill; If I save one, a thousand I do spill." "Nay Everyman...I follow no man in such voyages."

Goods says he is the reason that Everyman is in so much trouble. Goods were only lent to Everyman for a short time.

"Everyman I will go with thee and be thy guide."

Knowledge takes Everyman to Confession, and after he scourges himself, he puts on a garment of rough material to remind him of his confession and penance.