Everyman

by Anonymous

a play from the medieval time

Genres: Plays, Classics, Drama, School, Medieval, Theatre, Fiction

27 pages

First published January 1, 1485

About the author

Books can be attributed to "Anonymous" for several reasons:

* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author

Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.

See also: Anonymous

Reviews

[Jan-Maat]

Everyman is your typical jolly medieval play - man is happy - man receives word that he is doomed to die - man desperately scrabbles around for a chance of salvation.

I'm not sure if it surfaced first in English or in Dutch (under the name of Elckerlijc, presumably performances predated the oldest surviving written version. It presumably might have been performed in its rhyming verse with abstract concepts like Good Deeds as it's main characters, in much the same way as the Mystery Plays in public spaces on high days and holidays, religion for the masses.

I saw a modern performance. A curious thing, a show by the National Theatre filmed and broadcast in cinemas, it was pretty tolerable, naturally in order to be modern rather than medieval, God was removed while swearing and references to drugs and alcohol were added.

Unsurprisingly, no amount of swearing or mind altering substances can make up for the lack of God, whether this was the cleverly subtle point the Director wanted to make, or if they were simply too clever for their own good I don't know, but I did spot that the entire play becomes pointless without some kind of religious superstructure although it seems to me that one could easily make an atheistic or Humanist version, but one still needs to maintain some faith in the power of wisdom , good deeds and virtuous living to provide comfort and reassurance in the face of life's end, it became simply the anxious expression of Everyman realising that he was going to die, followed far too slowly by his death, followed not rapidly enough by my departure from the venue.

Originally, Everyman thinks he can fend off death with his wealth and then realising that money can't buy everything desperately seeks to redeem himself, luckily Good Deeds are here to stay Everyman, I will go with thee and be thy guide, in thy most need to go by thy side and save the day, you've got to die, but there can still be hope depending naturally upon the nature of your religious superstructure, disclaimer the sentiment expressed in this review in no way constitutes professional spiritual guidance, which may in certain circumstances quite properly advise you to abandon all hope, all ye who have entered here

[Mario · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm actually quite surprised I liked this drama. I had to read it for university and I never really liked books with religious influences, but I liked this one quite a lot. It made me laugh a few times and I liked the message that the drama sends (that only your good deeds stay with you after you die). So far, in university this year we've been reading really interesting stories so I hope that this streak of interesting books will continue 'till the end of this year.

[Duane Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This play reminds us that Everyman (all of us) at the end of life, when standing in judgement, will have only our “good deeds” to stand on our behalf. I personally believe that also a good heart, good intentions, showing respect and caring for others will also stand with you. Interesting, but written in a style that makes it difficult to read.

[William Gwynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another text on the reading list of the course I am studying, this one as part of my module studying drama. This was an engaging morality play from the medieval period, with interesting allegorical characters who embody ideas such as "Good-Deeds" and "Knowledge".

[Tony Vacation · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on a two-fold whim: one, I've had a growing interest of late digging into the pro- and anti-religious texts of yester-centuries, and, two, I decided to give my rusty skills at reading Middle English a tuning. Everyman is the medieval morality play that gave us the (surprise!) Everyman archetype that can be readily found in many books, movies, and TV shows. The play's set-up is fairly simple: God is pissed that everyone of us is sorry sack of sinning shit, so he tells Death to go down to Earth and pick on Everyman, who is, natch, the allegorical figure for everyone. Death tells Everyman his time here in the mortal grind is up, so now he has to go account for all his sins in heaven. What follows is a pretty heavy handed instructional on how to be a good Catholic - this was a play sanctioned by the Church, after all, to entertain and inform all the illiterate peasants cowering in the pits that was the late 1400's England. Here's what you need to know for the test: don't rely on friends or family because they will abandon you, and don't rely on your five wits (senses), knowledge, beauty, physical wealth, strength or discretion - all of these represented as allegorical figures, of course - because none of that will matter to you when you're dead. So what's your best bet, you worthless worm beneath God's toes? Go to confession and do nothing but good deeds. If you're lucky, then God - even though he knows better - might not throw your sorry ass into Hell for the rest of eternity.

Have a wonderful rest of the day, readers!

[Momo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers will follow the final day of Everyman after he is summoned by Death to leave the world of the living and face his ultimate judgment. Desperate not to meet this challenge alone, he seeks the companionship of all those he’s held dear during life and is shocked to see which will betray him in his time of greatest need and which will stand by his side.

This play refreshes the mind and brings attention to the things that should matter most in your life, the things that will matter forever instead of just right now. There is a strong religious influence in the story, but the overall message is one that I believe can benefit both the religious and non-religious alike.

I gave this play a 4 star rating because I think that it has a great message, it was a refreshing and at times challenging read due to it being written in Middle English. Regardless on your view of life after death, wouldn’t the world be a better place if all of us kept our friend Good Deeds healthy and strong?

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

(The date of my read for Everyman isn’t accurate, but the year I read it is)

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyman is a medieval morality play. I felt that it's kind of too preachy, but that's what morality plays are. The play reminds us that at the end of our life, when we're standing for judgement, it's only "Good Deeds" that won't leave our side. What stood out is its immense contemporary relevance, even though it was written long ago. An enjoyable read.

[Paula]

i'm sorry but Christian fanfiction is not my cup of tea :&

[elliot · Rating 2 out of 5]

the devil works hard but christians work harder

[Judah Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating play. While it has some pretty big theological blunders (works rather than faith; penance and purgatory- and only pale allusions to the redemption found in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross), it’s an interesting story- and I don’t think it would take much work at all to straighten out the theology. It emphasizes the fact that your possessions, friends, youth, strength, beauty, etc… won’t come with you when you die- but it seems to default to the idea that your good works will.
This would definitely be an interesting play to act in.

[clyde cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty neat play about mortality but man I did not need to be thinking about the inescapability of death on Valentine’s Day like this

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

“When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means. There is a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.

You can't make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.”

[andreea. · Rating 1 out of 5]

.

[Caterina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the whole thing in like 2 hours! It’s not too long but it keeps you wanting to not stop reading! Definitely 5 stars⭐️!

[Sioned Raybould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was assigned to read this for uni in relation to Shakespeare. I have to admit that I was sceptical at first (really didn't have a clue what it was about.) But after an hour of intense reading and analysing I have found myself pleasantly surprised. Everyman is a play which tests the morals of an individual who has been faced with death. Said individual looks to his 'friends' (fellowship, kindred, cousin, knowledge, beauty, strength, good deeds, discretion and five-wits) to walk with him on his journey of redemption before he dies. All betray him but one - good deeds. Even if we look at this play from a secular point of view it speaks to us, telling us that life is short and death can greet us at every corner, even at times we don't expect. Do we should do good in the world and give back, as opposed to allowing ourselves to be absorbed by what the world has to offer us.
As a Catholic I found myself relating very much to this play and it has (in some respects) really provokes thought about my own morals and how I am currently leading my life. Am I living worthily of Christ? Could I dedicate myself more to Christ? No and absolutely.
I read this as part of The Norton Anthology of English Literature v.1 and I would really advise this short but thought-provoking play to everyone. It is a beautiful and wonderful read. I read a modern version (still medieval language but easier to understand) and I'm sure that such copies can be found online.
I'm not going to break this play apart (will save that for class!) but giving this play any less than five stars would be doing it a grave injustice. Absolutely wonderful and a must read!

[Minh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A morality play at best, but too didactic for my own taste. The words are, as always, very interesting considered they were written in the medieval period.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an online version on Gutenberg press and discussed the play with an online book club. At first I struggled slightly to understand but all of a sudden, something clicked. From that moment on I easily read this play in one sitting. I found it interesting, thought-provoking, and one I would read again.

[Manon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purely read this to save my exam 'Literature of the Early modern period'. I saved my exam. I'm happy.

[SmarterLilac · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the end, the only thing that matters is Good Deeds. I found this work ambiguous and annoying when I first read it, but as I grow older, I've noticed that this sentiment is possibly the most enduring idea ever.

[Hanne Vandeweyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ic valle op mijn achterhielen!"

[Joanne van der Vlies · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Will you not with me go?"
"No, by our lady! I have a cramp in my toe!"

[Chloe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it for school. A little bland, a little confusing. Overall, I probably wouldn't read again

[Hamish Critchley]

Ethel Cain would've liked this i think

[Baris Ozyurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Bu ders daima aklınızda kalsın, Ey dinleyenler.
Büyük küçük hepiniz değer verin ona.
Gururlanmaktan vazgeçin, Çünkü aldatır sonunda sizi.
Unutmayın: Güzellik, Beş Duyum, Güç ve Akıl’ın,
Nasıl bırakıp gittiğini İnsanoğlu’nu.
Yalnızca İyi Davranışlarını götürebilir yanında kişi.
Sakının onları güçsüz bırakmaktan.
Yoksa Tanrı önünde hiçbir yararı olmaz kimseye.
Orada, Hiçbir mazeretin geçerli olmadığı yerde;
Ne yapar o zaman İnsan, tek başına?
Hiçbir şeyi düzeltemez İnsan öldükten sonra.
Ne acınır kendisine, ne de merhamet edilir.
Geldiğinde bir de temiz çıkmazsa hesabı;
Tanrı: Git ve sonsuza dek ateşler içinde yan diye
lanetler onu.
Hesabı doğru ve eksiksiz çıkanın ise:
Cennette taçlanır başı.
Tanrının sonunda hepimizi toplayacağı;
Gövdemiz ve ruhumuzla birlikte yaşayacağımız o terde.
Şimdi Kutu Üçlü adına Amin deyip hepinize hayrına.

Böyle biter İnsanoğlu’nun İbret oyunu.”(s.84)

[Uryun · Rating 1 out of 5]

it is SO BAD, i wanna give you a zero, but that's not possible, so I give you a one

[kosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

i like it better when i only think about this play, not necessarily read it whole, 3.5

[Tapley Cronier · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve never read so many “thou mayest” “thy hast” “hark thou”s in my life. I read every single word of this play and I could not tell you what was happening. This play has aged worse than milk, this aged about as well as milk from a dinosaurs decomposed fossil fuel corpse.

UPDATE: I MADE A 2/5 ON THIS STUPID QUIZ THIS SORRY EXCUSE FOR A PLAY SHOULD HAVE BEEN LOST TO THE DEPTHS OF TIME AND FADED FROM EXISTENCE

[camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the concept, just a little difficult to follow in old English.

[eslem · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for third semester, english theatre