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
