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Everyman

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Morality Play Everyman: Concepts of Death

English 102: Literature and Composition

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Thesis Statement:
The main character known by the name “Everyman” is representative of all of God’s people and the subsequent journey each must take in order to make the Presence of God their dwelling place as well as the pitfalls that must be avoided along the way.

Outline:
Introduction
Thesis Statement
Summoning of Everyman
God
Death
Author’s Perception of Death
Biblical Concept of Death
Everyman’s Perception of death
Seeking Traveling Companions
Journey
Repentance
Death
Conclusion

Morality plays were written to convey a simple moral lesson to the audience or the readers. One such example is the play “Everyman” which was written in the late fifteenth century by an unknown author. Everyman is an allegorical play because it has two levels of meaning. One level of meaning is seen through the eyes of God. The other level is seen in how Everyman views life. The main character known by the name “Everyman” is representative of all God’s people and the subsequent journey each must take in order to make the Presence of God their dwelling place as well as the pitfalls that must be avoided along the way. The protagonist is symbolic of people who seek salvation through their good deeds. One theme highlighted in this play is the transitory nature of human life. Life is transitory; which means it never stays the same. It is always changing and moving toward the end that God designed for this earthly life. The Messenger introduces the transitory nature of life when he made the following statement: “How transitory we be all day” (emphasis added, p.266). Everyman was given a warning by Death that God was calling him to account before

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