Everyman is a medieval morality play that has become a staple of the English Literature syllabus Written in the late fifteenth century, the play is attributed to an anonymous writer and has inspired countless dramatizations and reinterpretations in the centuries since its creation. The play follows the journey of Everyman, a representative of mankind, as he searches for salvation in the afterlife. He is accompanied by a host of allegorical characters, notably Death, who challenge the protagonist to examine his life choices and to seek penance for his missteps. Everyman is ultimately judged by God and told to make his peace with the world in order to be admitted into Heaven.
Everyman is an incredibly rich source of material to explore in an essay, with its analysis of mortality, religious themes, and morality. Here are five concrete ideas for an essay on Everyman:
1. Analyze how Everyman uses allegory to illustrate moral teachings. How does it shape the protagonist's journey and how does it reflect the beliefs of its author?
2. Compare and contrast Everyman's presentation of death to other plays of the era, such as Christopher Marlowe's The Tragic History of Doctor Faustus.
3. Examine the play's treatment of Christian faith and belief, and how its Biblical references shape the narrative.
4. Investigate how Everyman's themes of mortality and judgment reflect the changing religious and social context of the late fifteenth century.
5. Discuss how Everyman has been adapted and interpreted in film, theatre, and other retellings. How has its message evolved over time?