EVERYMAN

Everyman is a morality play in which the character Everyman, having been called to the Day of Reckoning, tries to find someone who will accompany him and help justify his life.   The term "reckoning" still refers to counting up totals or to presenting an itemized list. Everyman's reckoning is the accounting for the deeds of his life, and he must bring with him his "Book of Count."  The play combines psychological insight, good humor, and a definite sense of moral values.
While the play is brief and tightly focused, it can be divided into four sections as indicated by line numbers in parenthesis:
1.  God sends Death to summon Everyman to come for final reckoning.  Death deliversthissummons (1-183).
2. Everyman searches for a companion to accompany him and justify his life (184-521). He approaches the following characters in order: 

• Fellowship (184-301). Fellowship greets Everyman with the pledge that, "in the way of good company," he will not forsake him (214); however, when he learns Everyman's problem, he makes clear that the way of good company does include forsaking:  "And yet, if thou wilt eat and drink and make good cheer, / Or haunt to women the lusty company, / I would not forsake you while the day is clear, / Trust me verily!" (271-275)  The modern expression, of course, for Fellowship's attitude is "fair-weather friend."
• Cousin/Kindred (302-377).  While Everyman's relatives express concern for him, both Cousin and Kindred turn out to be unavailable. Cousin, in particular, says he has the cramp in his toe" and therefore cannot journey (356).
• Goods (378-462). Goods responds slowly because he is trussed in sacks and chests, but he does respond with the clear message that he cannot go with Everyman: "I follow no man in such voyages. / For, and I went with thee, / Thou shouldest fare much the worse for me; / For because on me thou did set thy mind, / Thy reckoning I have made blotted and blind, / That thine account thou cannot make truly--"(415-420).  The modern expression is "You can't take it with you," but Goods adds the point that if he could go it would be as a witness against Everyman for his false values.  He also explains that when Everyman is gone, Goods will remain on earth to deceive other souls.
• Good Deeds (463-520).  Everyman's Good Deeds agrees to accompany him; however, Good Deeds is tied up by Everyman's sins and must first be released.

3.  Everyman faces the new quest: free Good Deeds, for then his Good Deeds can help with the reckoning. (522-622).  Good Deeds sends Everyman to Knowledge. Then Knowledge brings Everyman to Confession.  After the meeting with Confession, Everyman hears his Good Deeds say "now I can walk and go" (619).  The code of moral behavior thus depends on the church and the ritual of confession.

4.  Everyman gains and loses new companions and then goes to his grave (623-921). Good Deeds and Knowledge introduce Everyman to Discretion, Strength, Beauty, and Five-Wits (five senses), who help Everyman on his travel. These friends give comfort to Everyman, but they also desert him in turn: first Beauty, then Strength, then Discretion, and finally Five-Wits.  Knowledge remains nearby, but Good Deeds descends into the grave with Everyman.  Angels call Everyman to Jesus, and the Doctor (of theology) enters to explain finally that human pride is transitory but that Good Deeds accompany people to their final reckoning.   

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What is a miracle play? A morality play?

2.  The editors of the Norton anthology compare Everyman to some short plays of the ancient Greeks. Why? Do you find the comparison helpful?

3.  Is there any humor in Everyman?

4.  Review the process of Everyman's search for justification. How is this process reflected in the organization of the play?

MAURY MARYANOW
Troy University, Montgomery Campus