Everyman Everyman

Explain why Everyman physical scourges himself.

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

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

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?

Goods

What sacraments does Everyman take from the priest?

Holy Communion and last rights [unction]

Who is the sister of Good Deeds?

Knowledge

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

Messenger

Who wrote Everyman?

Not know

How many acts are in the play?

One

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?

Priests

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 is a morality play?

a play designed to instruct and teach a moral to the general populace

Who hears Everyman's confession?

a priest

What does Everyman represent in the play?

all humanity

How does Everyman try to forestall death?

bribe him, ask for more time

In what literary form is the play written?

dramatized allegory - a morality play

What is the nature of Death?

he comes unexpectedly and one cannot bargain with him

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 true they refuse to go - 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 - he attempts to 'guilt' them into going - none do

Why won't Cousin go with Everyman?

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

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

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) 48. 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 in this morality play

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 someone killed he will be glad to help him kill

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

his maid to go with Everyman, if she agrees

Where does Goods tell Everyman he cannot help him?

in Heaven

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

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

life and worldly goods

What does Goods say it does to a thousand people?

makes their lives miserable - kills their souls

What is scourging?

mortification of the flesh

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 strongness

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, smell

What does Everyman put on before he dies?

the gown of contrition that becomes his shroud

At the beginning of the play, what does the Messenger warn the audience about?

though now the spectators think sin is a good thing, when it comes to the end, it will make people sad

Where does Knowledge first take Everyman?

to Confession

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