So much can be learned from this eye opening Morality play. Any christian can truly relate to Everyman. It brings back memories from those bible knowledge classes. Heaven is described as the most beautiful place where God resides and the final destination for the good and the faithful . This is in contrast to the glazing Inferno of Hell a prominent resident for Satan and the evil doers.
Everyman tell the story of individual life on earth and the great reward in Heaven. The religion message is simple , earthly comfort and riches are fleeting, only good deeds and God's grace can provide eternal salvation. The lessons are delivered as different characters with each representing a variety of abstract concept like material procession, good deeds, God and other characters. The virtue of this play is about living for tomorrow and focusing on life after death. To achieve this , we must lead a holy and virtuous life that includes doing good work and doing good, the theme is clearly stated by Death in the beginning when he warns "look well and heed to the ending" .
Everyman will ultimately undertake a final journey and give an account of his life before the Lord.
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Helen, I agree with your comment that good deeds and God's grace can provide eternal salvation. No matter what faith you are the message is clear that death will call upon us all and hopefully we can look back on the life that we lead and feel good about it. In reality everyman does not get a chance to reflect upon his life as the play projects.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the play is trying to encourage thinking about how you live *now* and making changes so when Death comes you can take more Good Deeds with you... or somethign like that.
ReplyDeleteNice summary! You are right. This play includes several traditional Christian themes including realizing that Earth is not our resting place and we should always focus on reaching our goal of inheriting the kingdom of God.
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