Example Of An Allegory In Everyman

In the anonymously written medieval drama, “Everyman”, the author uses allegory to describe one’s journey to Death. Allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. The author uses many means of figurative language and symbols to get his message across, giving it the allegorical title.
At the start of the play, God criticizes the way that “all creatures” are not serving him properly. He dislikes that people live without fear in the world or with any thought of heaven or hell. “In worldly riches is all their mind” God claims. “Every man liveth so after his own pleasure”, and only God realizes the decaying of the world and decides to “have a reckoning of every man’s person”.

Otherwise saying Good Deeds can save a sinner from eternal damnation. Death approaches Everyman and tells him he must take a journey and bring with him his “book of count”. In fear, Everyman asks for company on his journey. Death allows it, that is if anyone is brave enough to tag along.
Everyman approaches Fellowship, Kindred, Cousin, and Goods, yet all forsake him. He then turns to Good Deeds, however she is too weak to tag along. Knowledge accompanies him to Confession, who advises him to show penance. Everyman scourges himself to atone for his sin, and Good Deeds is then able to walk. Along the way, Discretion, Strength, Beauty and Five Wits accompany him, yet further along the journey, as Everyman begins to die, they forsake him one after the other. Good Deeds however, remains by his