SYNOPSIS
Everyman was written by an anonymous clerical playwright in the medieval period. It is the best example of the morality play, characterized by an allegorical plot that deals with some archetypal action in man’s spiritual life and by characters who personify abstract ideas, such as Fellowship, Wealth, or Knowledge. The play presents a generalized, archetypal action, a sort of x-ray of human experience. Everyman is not only all men, but a very particular man, economically but tellingly characterized. He is fundamentally good-hearted but superficial sensualist who, at the existential moment when he must confront the reality of his impending death, undergoes a radical and psychological transformation.
God commands Death to summon Everyman to undertake a journey through death to appear before the Almighty to give account of his moral life on earth. He is deserted by Spouse, Fellowship, Worldly Goods, Five Wits, and all his Desires (The Seven Deadly Sins). Only Good Deeds is prepared to accompany him to witness on his behalf; but he is crippled by neglect. He is, however, encouraged by Knowledge to seek Repentance and Confession. He is thus ready to face his Maker. Is Everyman ever ready?
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