Everyman by Anonymous
This was a fun read for me!
The whole play was easily to relate to. Being Catholic it was probably very adventitious.
I could actually picture the masses of people watching this play being performed on a large out-door stage. They probably didn’t even know they were being taught a religious lesson. Well maybe they did but it didn’t matter because they were being entertained.
With characters like Death, Goods, Five-Wits and Strength (just to name a few) I’m sure the costumes and imagery was a large part of the play. The costumes were probably largely exaggerated and gaudy. The scenes leave a very large canvas to depict what the play was trying to convey.
Concerning the subject matter, it is a gripping topic… we all of us die so everyone (everyman) would be interested to see how the event is reconciled. I must admit I was even thrown off course twice during the play as to how it would play out. The first time was when he actually got someone to accompany him on his journey. I thought it would play out how everyone would abandon him and that would be the lesson. The second time was when Everyman was finally abandon buy all EXCEPT one of the characters that had originally denied him…. Overall it was a great lesson and a well thought out play.
But besides that it was a great way for the powers of the time keep the unwashed, unlearned masses in line… and keep them entertained the whole while also. Pretty sneaky Sis’.
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I think the most important aspect of the play was to realize that everyman must look inside their selves and examine how they live their life. Do we take care of the poor, help our fellow man, act with love and compassion? Or do we worship worldly goods and possessions? It made me think after I read it. I also watched the video of the play and found that very helpful. By far this was the best one.
ReplyDeleteI thought about the design aspects of this play as I read it and you are probably right that costumes would have been exaggerated and overdone. I think it would be fun to work on the set, lights or costumes for a production of this play.
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