The Theme Of Death In Everyman

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Everyman and Death Everyman is one of the earliest morality dramas. A morality drama where the main character meets with a moral decision or decisions. In Everyman, the protagonist Everyman goes through his last day alive trying to atone for his sins. In the play, he meets several other characters that symbolize different components of life. In doing so, he tries to have them go with him to meet with God, but most of them will not walk with him to meet death except good deeds. In the play, the author’s perception of Death is that he is a mighty messenger of God and he gathers every man to pay for his sins. The author also leads the reader to understand there are two different types of death; physical and spiritual. The author uses Death …show more content…

165) When Everyman takes on this journey he is taking account of his life what he has lived for up to this point.
“O Death, thou comest when I had thee least in mind! In thy power it lieth me to save; Yet of my good will, I give thee if thou will be kind. Yea, a thousand pound shalt thou have— And defer this matter till another day.” (lines 119-23)
Everyman then asks the question we all would ask since we would not go with death willingly. Everyman tries to bribe death into postponing his long journey. With his life book not fulfilled, and nothing to show God. Everyman begins to question his mortality.
“Everyman, it may not be, by no way. I set not by gold, silver, nor riches, Ne by pope, emperor, king, duke, ne princes; For, and I would receive gifts great if All the world I might get, But my custom is clean contrary. The belief I give thee no respite. Come hence, and not tarry.” (lines 124-130) Death will not sub come to bribery; he goes as far as saying that no one is above death no matter how wealthy or prominent the person is. Everyone is subject to …show more content…

When his worldly goods left him Death comes back and says “Nay, nay; it was but lent thee” (line 164). To reiterate that he can not take his possessions with him on this long journey. He then reminds him that he is about to come soon and he needs to make his peace. Also in this exchange Death states “Nay, thereto I will not consent, Nor no man will I respite; But to the heart suddenly I shall smite Without any advisement. And now out of thy sight, I will tell me hie; See thou make thee ready shortly, For thou mayst say this is the day That no man living may scape away” (lines 177-184). He let Everyman know that he will not know when he will come for him and that no one will escape him. Then Everyman realizes that he succumbs to death eventually. He realizes that he did not live for anything and that his life was barren. So, Everyone seeks a way to avoid the second death; his spiritual death which is far worse than the first. With his life book full, he will be able to stand before

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