Everyman: A Medieval Morality Play

Everyman": A Medieval Morality Play

The medieval morality play "Everyman" uses the literary device of allegory to show how all worldly values are false in a way that is profoundly alien to a modern viewer. In the play, the character of 'Everyman,' who symbolically represents every human being, realizes that death is near. Everyman asks for another person to accompany him on his journey, but his former friends of Beauty, Kindred, or Worldly Goods, and other friends refuse. The only thing he has to protect him in the afterlife is his Good Deeds. Good Deeds are represented literally as a character, not simply as a symbol.

One of the interesting aspects of the play to a modern reader, aside from its explicit use of symbolism, is its representation of Death. Death is not a bad character, although he is not welcomed by any living human being. However, because Death comes to everyone, including Everyman, Death's presence on earth is accepted, not regarded as evil. This reflects the medieval mindset, where living with the chance of dying young was a constant threat. Everyman tries to avoid death, but he accepts the fact he cannot cheat death. Rather the play suggests he can only act morally, and hope that this will result in a good judgment, in the life to come. Death says: "I am Death, that no man dreadeth. / for every man I rest and no man spareth; / for it is God's commandment/That all to me should be obedient." Just as men must be obedient to God, so they must be obedient to God's messenger, death.

Another striking difference between contemporary and medieval attitudes exemplified in "Everyman" is the fact that Fellowship and other aspects of modern, secular life that might be regarded as positive attributes to cultivate will not go with Everyman to the afterlife. Friends, family, even knowledge, are all seen as important in modern society -- and in modern cliches. But the medieval play exhibits a profound trust of all secular ties, even the bond of family. Fellowship, for example, seems cruel in his dismissal of Everyman, and he gives immoral advice: "But and thou wilt murder, or any man kill, / in that I will help thee with a good will!" Everyman's cousin says: "I will deceive you in your most need."

However, there is a contradiction in this total denial of the world, because Everyman's actions in the world will save him, namely his Good Deeds. Although other worldly ties and attributes will not help him, his obedience to God's commandments will follow him after death. Of course, one might ask, for whom does he do 'Good Deeds,' very likely his family, friends, and other peoples? But the play is designed not to engage in philosophical speculation, but to graphically and simply represent received religious truths. Even Knowledge, or the positive value of intelligence, is dismissed in the play. Knowledge, just like Beauty and Worldly Goods (which might be expected to be unhelpful in a journey into the afterlife, even to a modern viewer) is seen as an example of vanity, not effort. Moral effort alone will gain Everyman favor.