Everyman Essay

Everyman is a widely acclaimed as the greatest medieval morality play, and was surprisingly written by an unknown author during the early fifteenth or early sixteenth century. The story is constructed by allegories and personification. It is heavily centered around death, and at the same time dances around the idea of it having a precautionary message. It was initially considered to be of historical interest only, but was later revived on stage during the early twentieth century. Everyman was praised for its simplicity as well as intelligent moral messages, three of which are predominantly discussed when talking about this play. For example, the play serves as a reminder that death comes to everyman, and serves as a warning that while it comes

In addition, Everyman was named as such to represent the whole of humanity, and the play reminds us of our mortality by showing us an expandable character’s reaction to imminent death. He is obviously surprised at Death’s arrival, and unsuccessfully tries to spare himself this fate by offering wealth and goods, rebuffing his certain passing. Meanwhile, Death is unsurprisingly unaffected by Everyman’s pleas, and orders him to come peacefully, and not delay the inevitable. He also explains that the reason behind humanity’s mortal nature is Adam’s original sin.

In addition to Death’s abrupt visit, Everyman exclaims that he was not expecting his time to come this early, and confesses that he was surprised by Death’s timing, bringing us to the play’s second moral lesson. Death does not call to schedule an appointment; he shows up unexpectedly.

The play continues to serve as a forewarning, when Everyman asks Death to give him some spare time in order to get his affairs in order, to which he replies that his journey is over, one way or another, whether he is saved or not. Even Knowledge, who represents the human intellect, later appears to inform Everyman of the way to salvation. This leads us to the play’s third moral lesson, prepare for death. Death is unpredictable, and one must make sure that he is saved and live for God in order to pass peacefully.