SUMMARY OF "EVERYMAN"

The play opens with a messenger calling for the audience’s attention to this “moral play,” which will demonstrate the transitory nature of human life. Next God appears, lamenting the unworthiness of humans, who no longer revere him and who sinfully indulge in greed and lust. Deciding to make people account for their sins, God orders Death to summon Everyman so that he can be judged by his “reckoning,” a ledger of his good and ill deeds. However, when Death approaches Everyman on earth, Everyman is unwilling to die and unprepared for his reckoning. Clinging to the life he had, Everyman begs Death for more time. Death refuses, but he allows Everyman to seek a companion for his “pilgrimage,” provided that he can find someone willing to accompany him to the afterlife.

A disconsolate Everyman seeks out his friend Fellowship for comfort and counsel, and Fellowship appears, promising his undying loyalty. However, when Fellowship learns that accompanying Everyman on the journey means that Fellowship, too, will die, he refuses to help his friend. Fellowship leaves, and Everyman seeks the help of his relatives Kindred and Cousin instead, thinking that blood will be thicker than water. However, while Kindred and Cousin promise to stand by him in “wealth and woe,” they also forsake him, as they too are afraid of death. Alone, Everyman bemoans this abandonment by his friends and family and wonders whom he can turn to next for help. He decides to ask for the assistance of his friend Goods, whom he has long loved. Though Goods (like Fellowship, Kindred, and Cousin) promises to help Everyman, he immediately reneges on his promise after learning of Everyman’s predicament. In addition to refusing to join Everyman, Goods also informs Everyman that he has been damaging Everyman’s reckoning all along: because Everyman loved Goods so much instead of loving God, Everyman will be condemned to hell.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN YOUR WORK BOOK.

1. What important message has Death brought for Everyman? (2)

2. Why does Everyman seem shocked/confused by Death's appearance? (2)

3. Describe the facial expression that the person playing Everyman, would use when saying: "What? Sent for me?" (2

4. Describe the costume that would best suit the character of Good Deeds. (4)

5. Describe the lighting and sound effects for the last scene of the play when Everyman dies. Explain your choices. (2x3=6)

6. What advice would you give to the person playing the character of Death in terms of posture, facial expression and gesture? (2x3=6)

7. What ridiculous request does Everyman ask of Death at the beginning of the play? (2)

8. Who goes with Everyman on his 'journey'? (2)

9. Why is this play refered to as a 'morality play'? (2)

10. If you were to direct this play, what set design would you choose? Explain your choice with reference to the play. (4)