Everyman Study Guide

In what century was Everyman written?

15th century

How does the audience know Everyman has been forgiven at the end of the play and is going to heaven?

Angel comes to escort him to heaven

Explain briefly the origin of drama in medieval society

As the guild system developed, it took over theatre performance, producing elaborate cycles of mystery plays that involved many people and took days to perform

Death states he gives no man 'respite,' - what does this mean?

Death does not spare anyone

Why does Everyman not need Discretion to follow him into the grave?

Discretion [decision making, good judgment] is only useful in life - it is not needed after death

Which character often says 'Alack,' 'Alas?'

Everyman

Why does Everyman believe Goods will surely go with him?

Everyman has spent the best part of his life loving and caring for Goods

What does 'Gramercy' mean?

God's mercy

What character in the play has Everyman loved best before his penance?

Good-deeds

What sacraments does Everyman take from the priest?

Holy Communion and last rights

Define miracle play.

Medieval mystery plays focused on the representation of Bible stories

in Everyman who speaks the opening lines of the play?

The messenger

Define morality play

a kind of drama with personified abstract qualities as the main characters and presenting a lesson about good conduct and character

What kind of Doctor speaks at the end of the play - why?

a philosopher or teacher - to speak the moral of the play directly to the audience

What does Everyman represent in the play?

all humanity

How does Everyman try to forestall death?

bribe him, ask for more time

Where does Knowledge first take Everyman?

confession

To which category does Everyman belong?

dramatized allegory - a morality play

What is the nature of Death?

he comes unexpectedly

Why does Everyman distort the description of his journey when he asks characters to join him?

he gets them to promise to go with a vague description of the journey, but when he tells the whole truth they refuse to go (except Good Deeds) - he tries to inflict guilt, to no avail, after extracting a promise of companionship from the characters in not initially telling them the whole story

Why won't Cousin go with Everyman?

he has a cramp in his toe, not ready to give his reckoning

Explain why Everyman scourges himself.

he has committed sins of the flesh [physical] therefore this is a penance to seek forgiveness for this aspect of his sinfulness

What does Knowledge confide to Five Wits he is worried about?

he hopes Everyman has gone to a good priest, not one who is corrupt

Why does Everyman not recognize Death?

he is preoccupied with sin and does not expect to encounter Death - Death comes when one least expects it

What does God mean when he says he holds everyman 'elect?'

he loves his creations and will save them if they follow his rules and worship him, appreciating his sacrifice for them

How does Everyman achieve his goal?

he repents his sins and is allowed into eternal life

When Everyman asks Fellowship for help, what is Fellowship's final offer?

he will not go, but if Everyman wants to go have a good time, he will be glad to go or if he needs help in killing someone he will help

Where does Goods tell Everyman he cannot help him?

heaven

What two things does Death say have been 'lent' to Everyman?

his life and his worldly goods

While Kindred refuses to go with Everyman, he offers what?

his maid to go with Everyman, if she agrees

How has Everyman spent his life?

in things of the flesh and material goods, ignoring God

Why is Good Deeds initially on the ground?

it is weak because Everyman has not done many good deeds

Who is the sister of Good Deeds?

knowledge

What does Goods say it does to a thousand people?

makes their lives miserable - kills their souls

What is the position of Death in relationship to Man and God?

messenger

Why is God upset at the beginning of the play?

people of the world have forgotten him; they live in sin, and only think about worldly riches

What is the nature of Strength?

physical strength

Five Wits explains who has the highest power on earth, even over kings, emperors, barons and dukes when it comes to religion - who is that?

priest

Who hears Everyman's confession?

priest

In what does Knowledge instruct Everyman?

religious doctrine

What must Everyman do in order to have a clean reckoning with God?

repent his sins through confession and penance

The doctor advises that what is not possible after death?

repentance

What does Goods advise Everyman should have done with some of his goods?

shared them in acts of charity and goodness with the poor

Why will Beauty not go with Everyman?

she would smother in the grave - he does not need her

Name the Five Wits

taste, touch, sight, hearing and smell

What does Everyman put on before he dies?

the gown of contrition that becomes his shroud

Why does God call on Death at the beginning of the play?

to find Everyman and make him answer for his sins - to give a reckoning before God

Knowledge waits for what at the end of Everyman's life?

to see what will happen to him - heaven or hell?

Why does Everyman seek allegorical people to go with him, as he goes with Death?

to speak for his qualities in giving his reckoning to God