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Perception of Death and The Treatment of Death in “Everyman” Liberty University

Everyman
Thesis: “Everyman” is a play that gives a message that death is inevitable. It shows that there is nothing a person can do to avoid it regardless of their worldly riches.

I. Introduction A. Title of Poem – “Everyman” B. Author - Unknown C. Summary of Plot II. Analysis of the Play A. Characters B. Setting C. Theme III. The Author’s View of Death A. The author describes death by using allegory to camouflage the idea of death. B. The certainty of death C. Every man’s soul needs to be saved before death. IV. Biblical View of Death A. Romans 8:28 (New International Version) B. Job 14: 5 (New International Version) V. Conclusion A. Life Lessons taught in the play

“Everyman” is a short play written by an unknown author. The play is also called “The Summoning of Everyman” (Jokinen, 2010). The play is about approaching the end of life (death) on earth. It displays how a person can progress from a loss of hope and fear of death to a “Christian’s thought of redemption” (Jokinen, 2010). Everyman is deserted by several characters in the beginning of the play. In the middle of the play, there are a few characters left that he was able to depend on. By the end of the play, he only had one character that he could depend on. “Everyman had to confront his grave with Christian humility” (Nussbaum, 2006). “Everyman” is a play that gives a message that death is inevitable. It shows that there is nothing a person can do to avoid it regardless of their worldly riches. The characters in the play include Everyman who changed his Christian ways in time to be saved. Death is another character who is a messenger that God commanded to summon Everyman. The friends who left Everyman when he needed them were Fellowship, Kindred, Cousin, Discretion, Strength, Five Wits, Beauty, and Goods. Another friend of Everyman is Good Deeds who wanted to go with him to the afterlife and Knowledge told Everyman what he needed to do have salvation. Confession represented repentance and he was one who Everyman confessed his sins. Finally, the Angel welcomed Everyman to Heaven and the Doctor gave him the notice about death (Cummings, 2010). The setting of the play takes place in Heaven and on earth. In the play “Everyman,” (as cited in Literature and Spirituality, 2011, pp. 265-267), “God sends Death to summon Everyman to give account of their lives on earth.” At the end of the play, it takes place back in Heaven. Several themes appear in the play. First, live a godly life today as if it were the last day of your life. This should include offering love and help to others. In the play “Everyman,” (as cited in Literature and Spirituality, 2011, pp. 265-267), “Man, in the beginning, / Look well, and take good heed to the ending.” Everyman repented his sins before it was too late. He made known his sins absolving him of the guilt and therefore earning him the joy of repentance. Second, a younger person views sin as something sweet smelling, like the smell of perfume, only to realize that sin is an immoral act against God’s law and there are consequences. In the play “Everyman,” (as cited in Literature and Spirituality, 2011, pp. 265-267), “Ye think sin in the beginning full sweet, / Which in the end causeth thy soul to weep, / When the body lieth in clay.” Next, Matthew 16:26 (New International Version) states, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” In the play “Everyman,” (as cited in Literature and Spirituality, 2011, pp. 265-267), “I perceive here in my majesty, / How that all the creatures be to me unkind, /Living without dread in worldly prosperity: /Of ghostly sight the people be so blind, /Drowned in sin, they know me not for their God; /In worldly riches is all their mind.” The mercy that God shows is another theme in the play. Man is always disregarding His mercy. He is so busy enjoying his worldly belongings and life that he forgets to repent his sins. In the play “Everyman,” (as cited in Literature and Spirituality, 2011, pp. 265-267), “I proferred the people great multitude of mercy, / And few there be that asketh it heartily, / They be so encumbered with worldly riches.” The final theme is that death can not be avoided. “God tells Death that the day will come when every person must die and give an accounting of his life before the Lord” (Cummings, 2010). There is no escaping it; every person will have a final judgment day and face some unpleasant truths. In the play “Everyman,” death is defined as being inevitable. The unknown author describes death by using allegory to camouflage the idea of death. Trapping the idea of fear of death throughout humanity is a growing concern, as well. When it is all said and done, God, the almighty, is the controller of death. This allows individuals to become closer to him. Although it is not a part of God’s eternal plans, death is a part of human nature. Allegories used throughout the play depicts our God is not one of deism, but one based solely on reason and is vigorously working in His creation. With a clear insight into the soul of the play, it brings about a clear understanding of the Christian faith. The title of the play “Everyman” illustrates the anonymous author’s reminder to this audience that every man’s soul needs to be saved before death. Additionally, he reminds believers of God that death may be the end of our physical bodies, but it is just the beginning of our spiritual journey with God. The play serves as a reminder to not only live for today, but to strive towards the goal of everlasting life in Heaven. This is stated in the play “Everyman,” (as cited in Literature and Spirituality, 2011, pp. 265-267), “Look well, and take good heed to the ending.” Every man was created for a purpose, and each has a unique path to walk. Romans 8:28 (New International Version), states, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and who have been called according to His purpose.” Additionally, Job 14:5 (New International Version), states, “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot.” “What must an individual do to be saved?” is the most important religious question to be asked after reading the play “Everyman”. Whether good or evil on judgment day, God ultimately has the final say so on everyman’s voyage to the final reckoning. Once you reach the gates, no one will be able to tag along to speak on your behalf to improve your image. This play not only show how everyone should greet death but how they should live with it and accept it whole-heartedly as well as God word. It gives a message of death is inevitable. There is nothing a person can do to avoid it regardless of their worldly riches.

References

Cummings, M. J. (2010). Everyman: A morality play. In Cummings Study Guide. Retrieved from http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net

Jokinen, A. (2010). “Everyman: An Introduction.” Retrieved from Literature Online. http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/intro.htm

Life, redemption, death, and afterlife in context of spirituality. (2011). In Adu-Gyamfi, Y., & Schmidt, M. R. (Eds.). Literature and Spirituality (pp. 265 - 287). Glenview, IL: Pearson Education, Inc.

New International Version. [Colorado Springs]: Biblica, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.BibleGateway.com. WEB. 12 December 2013.

Nussbaum, E. (2006). Death becomes him. New York Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.nymag.com/arts/books/reviews

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