Everyman's Search

Everyman's Search

Written in the 15th century, the play Everyman teaches a moral lesson to Everyman, the main character whose supposed to represent all of mankind, about repenting for ones sins and preparing one for when it is time to face God. How the author parallels life's characteristics to the characters in the play helps the reader to relate and understand the meaning that he is trying to get across. Although death is normally viewed as a negative part of life, the play teaches the reader that death can be positive aspect of life also. Through the use of Death, God is able to bring Everyman to salvation. There will be a day that all of mankind will have to face God. Death is providing insight that good deed's and repenting ones sins will give eternity in Heaven. God starts the play by speaking of all he has done for mankind, and the pain that was inflicted on to him. This was all done so mankind could live the sinful life that was in front of them and to be able to repent for their sins to reach Heaven. Through authors perception and treatment of Death, it is evident that mankind needs to complete good deeds and repent for ones sins before Judgment Day, to live an eternity of happiness in Heaven and if not, suffer in Hell.

As God is upset with Everyman's search for materialistic goods instead of following the path of righteousness, he sends Death as a messenger to summon Everyman for his actions. As the Bible says, "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (I Timothy 6:9-10), God felt because of this it was time Everyman learned from his mistakes. God sends Death to bring Everyman and gave him very strict guide lines, "Go thou to Everyman, And show him in my name, A pilgrimage he must on him take, Which he in no wise may escape; And that he bring with him a sure reckoning, Without delay or any tarrying" (Everyman). Death is first perceived in a negative fashion at this point in the mind of the reader. As Death reaches Everyman and explains to him the journey he must now complete, Everyman tries to bribe Death. This is where Death follows in the commands of God and lets Everyman know that the decision is inevitable. Everyman starts to search for his "friends" to bring with him to face God. Death allows Everyman to search for his friends to bring with him on the journey. Everyman realizes here that his actions speak louder than his words. They all promised to go and support Everyman on his journey until they found out it was God the summoned him. They all backed out on him. As Everyman is learning what he must do to face God, the reader realizes that Death is a positive influence on Everyman. Death is a very important and key part to both this story and Christian faith, as Jesus had to die on the cross for all of mankind's sins.

Britannica Encyclopedia states, "It achieves a beautiful,