Everyman - Play Case Study

The theme of the morality play Everyman deals with the human desire for wealth and goods- an issue that is still prevalent today. The main character, Everyman, represents humanity and the path of materialism humanity is on. The play follows the classical drama format moving from exposition to resolution. This main format can be easily seen throughout the play. Beginning with the first conversation between God and Death, to the realization of the way man has been living his life, ending with the death of Everyman. Since the play is a classical morality play, it strongly emphasizes that people need to live good lives so they can experience a better after-life.

Everyman begins with an exposition between Death and God. They discuss Everyman and how he no longer fears God- all Everyman cares about are gaining objects and wealth. God even points out, “Drowned in sin, they know me not for their God; In worldly riches is all their mind, They fear not my rightwiseness, the sharp rod" (Everyman, 3). Every year mankind gets worse because it feels the need for more goods, so God sends Death as His messenger and man will be judged.

Once Death reaches Earth and confronts Everyman, they reach a complication. Everyman is going to die and will be judged. Everyman becomes distressed and states that Death has “comest when I had thee least in mind” (Everyman, page 8). People never know when they are going to die and they may not be ready. Everyman had never even thought about death and was too busy living his life the way he wanted to live without a care for his soul. Everyman was caught completely off guard, Everyman does not know what to do. He even tries to bribe Death so that he can come at another time when he is better prepared. Here, the play suggests that because we do not know when death is coming so we should live a good life in order to be ready when the time comes.

Everyman realizes that he cannot get out of dying, but Death agrees to allow him to bring someone with him to account for his life. When Everyman first meets Fellowship (who represents his friends), he asks him if he would go with him on his journey to judgment. Fellowship would rather stay and enjoy life than support and follow Everyman. Everyman then meets his family, who are called Kindred and Cousin, but they, like Fellowship, refuse to go. At this