Everyman: Analysis of Major Characters
"Everyman" is a morality play that explores themes of life, death, and the human condition through the character of Everyman, who is summoned by Death to account for his life before God. As Everyman prepares for this journey, he seeks companions to accompany him, representing various aspects of life and human experience. The play highlights the contrast between the transient nature of earthly relationships and the enduring significance of Good-Deeds, who ultimately proves to be Everyman's only true companion.
Key characters include Knowledge, who serves as a guide but cannot accompany Everyman in the afterlife, and Confession, who represents the opportunity for repentance and spiritual salvation. Other figures, such as Fellowship, Kindred, and Goods, initially offer support but abandon Everyman upon discovering the demands of the journey. The play emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and the realization that material possessions and social connections cannot accompany individuals in death.
Through its portrayal of Everyman's interactions, the play invites audiences to consider their own lives and the values they prioritize, ultimately concluding that only Good-Deeds will matter at the final judgment. The narrative serves as a moral reminder that one's actions and choices are what define them in the face of mortality.
Everyman: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Unknown
First published: 1508, first extant version
Genre: Drama
Locale: Indeterminate
Plot: Morality
Time: Indeterminate
God, who has decided to have a reckoning of all men.
Death, who is summoned to receive God's instructions to search out Everyman. Death agrees to give Everyman some time to gather companions to make the journey with him.
Everyman, whom Death approaches and orders to make the long journey to Paradise to give an accounting for his life.
Good-Deeds, the one companion who can and will make the entire journey with Everyman. Everyman finds Good-Deeds too weak to stir, but after Everyman accepts penance, Good-Deeds is fit for the journey.
Knowledge, the sister of Good-Deeds. Knowledge offers to guide Everyman but cannot go with him into the presence of his maker.
Confession, who lives in the house of salvation. Confession gives penance to Everyman.
Discretion, Strength, Beauty, and TheFiveWits, companions who go part of the way with Everyman.
Fellowship, Kindred, and Goods, to whom Everyman turns for companions. All offer to help but refuse when they learn the nature of the journey.
A messenger, who appears in prologue to announce a moral play to the audience. He warns that people should look to the end of their lives.
Adoctor, who appears at the end to remind the audience that only Good-Deeds will avail at the final judgment.