Anglo-American Survey 2016-2017

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Similarly, when his family deserts him claiming that their account of life is not ready as well, it seems that as Everyman, they probably spend most of their lives in search of material goods to seek pleasure. This means that they are less devoted to the service of God just the same. Therefore, being surrounded by a family that does not take into consideration the Day of Judgment misguides Everyman into not following the right path toward serving God.

In addition, when his family and bestfriend forsake him, he calls up his Goods. All his life, he takes money for granted. That is, for example, instead of spending it on helping, he spends it on women and drinking. Thus, the more he misspends his money, the more he sinks in sins. The problem with Everyman is that all his life he keeps thinking that the previously mentioned characters will stand by him in his day of reckoning. He is not aware that when he dies, his Fellowship, Kindred and Cousin, and Goods will abandon him. He thinks the other way round.

Equally, this is also true for his Beauty, Strength, Discretion, and his Five-Wits as they leave him in the end. After all these previously mentioned characters depart him, he realizes that trusting them was worthless. That is, he realizes that all these characters are transitory and fade away as one dies. Also, he understands that in the end, no one will stand by him expect his Good-Deeds. In other words, spending his life doing good deeds will exempt him from Hell.

However, this does not mean that God does not forgive mankind's sins. In this play, Knowledge guides him to Confession which is a prerequisite for God's forgiveness. Therefore, because he met Knowledge that guided him to Confession, he would not have repented. Also, his Good-Deeds would not have agreed to accompany him to stand before God without a record of life clean of sins.

- How is the moral lesson of "Everyman" reflected in the title?

In the play, Everyman stands for all humans. The moral lesson of the play warns mankind that the only exemption from Hell is dedicating most of our time and money to the service of God. However, God can forgive humans' sins if they repent. But when death comes, there is turning back from it. In other words, ironically, it does not really delay our day of reckoning as it does with Everyman. Therefore, humans must live their earthly lives devoted to God and in fear of the Day of Judgment.