EVERYMAN AS A MORALITY PLAY

Morality plays were known to possess some characteristics that are peculiar to the Medieval Era as were influenced by theological values. Robert Potter in Robin (2011:24) asserts that, "The mixture of doctrine and realism in the morality play has its origins in this preaching tradition, and the immediate sources of allegory in the morality play are almost invariably found in medieval sermon literature. Many similarities between the morality play and medieval sermon literature are found. In both there is an emphasis on the coming wrath and judgment, and ways were shown to avoid these punishments."

Another conceptualization of allegory is summarized in Dante's comment on the use of allegory thus, Habib (2005: ) "first is called the literal, and this is the sense that does not go beyond the surface of the letter, as in the fables of the poets. The next is called the allegorical, and this is the one that is hidden beneath the cloak of these fables, and is a truth hidden beneath a beautiful fiction . . .The third sense is called moral, and this is the sense that teachers should intently seek to discover throughout the scriptures, for their own profit and that of their pupils . . . The fourth sense is called anagogical, that is to say, beyond the senses; and this occurs when a scripture is expounded in a spiritual sense which, although it is true also in the literal sense, signifies by means of the things signified a part of the supernal things".

In relation to the above therefore, those features that distinguish Everyman as a morality play are outlined. One of those features is the idea of humanity, which is clearly depicted in the play through the characters. It deployed characters who reveal the human nature of man that has to do with the concept of “innocence, fall and redemption” and the human life cycle (Robison: 2011) which Everyman has done justice to so much so that some critics suggest that the play does not have a definite time frame, which means it can be considered as man’s entire period of existence. Being an archetypal representation of the morality play, which emerged during the medieval era, the play pprtrays a major theological value that prevailed in that dispensation, which is allegory. Morality plays dramatized allegories of a representative Christian life in the plot, of the pursuit for salvation, in which the essential events are temptations, sinning, and the climactic confrontation with death. The usual protagonist represents everyman or mankind; among the other characters that are personification of virtues, vices and death, as well as angels and demons who contest for the prize if the soul of mankind Abrams (2005:201). A typical morality play features the struggle for the soul of man that takes place between the forces of good and evil and reflects his fears and anxiety as he prepares for the inevitable, which is death. The main thematic concern of every morality play is didacticism, which has to do with the moral lesson or instruction the play intends to communicate and this is clearly depicted in Everyman in the prologue of the play and the epilogue. The characters in Everyman and how the protagonist relate with them also carry a very strong moral instruction, which was revealed later in the text when the protagonist sought the help of his friends but did not get it. There is also a reflection of allegory in the naming of characters in the play, considering that each character represent abstract qualities. For example, Good Deeds, Knowledge, Kindred, Confession, Five Wits, et ce tra. This naming can be viewed as the qualities a man should possess and as company a man can decide to walk with which in the end will prove themselves unworthy. This depiction is highly realistic in the sense that individuals can relate with the issue of betrayal and support from friends and family, be it in the Medieval era or our contemporary society.

The central theme is about the anxiety that pervades man in the face of death, the playwright reflects how everyman, who is the protagonist searched for a companion in his friends and family that will embark with him on his soul’s pilgrimage; and it conveys a moral instruction. These alongside other features of morality plays that are projected in Everyman and discussed in detail in subsequent paragraphs.

Characters are the mechanisms in morality plays through which the inteneded message is conveyed. It is through the characters that readers can relate with the issues that depict their own struggles. Thus, readers are likely to find themselves in the characters. There is the reflection of God as the ultimate source of salvation and the judge of man’s deed in the after life, who will judge man according to the way he lives on earth. Everyman in the play has therefore, been summoned by God to give account of his life, which obviously is not pleasing to God/Him.

God: I perceive, here in my majesty,

How that all creatures be to me unkind,

Living without dread in wordly prosperity (p. 3)

God had them to everyman,

And show him, in my name

A pilgrimage he must on him take

Which he is no wise may escape;

And that he brings with a sure reckoning (pg 4)

The expression above is an accurate depiction of the Christian doctrine during the medieval era, where man is expected to live a life worthy and pleasing to his maker.

Everyman reflects the Christian doctrines that dominated the medieval era.

Robin (2011:29) expatiates this by asserting that ‘the playwright succeeded in bringing theology through the actions of representational characters. According to Christian and especially, catholic theology, one cannot save oneself. Only through Jesus death on the cross and one’s accepting of that gift may one be saved”. This is reflected through the character knowledge who laments about the role of the priest and the place of the cross.

Knowledge; if priests be goal, it is so, surely

But when Jesus handed on the cross with great smart,

There he gave out if his blessed heart,

The sacrament in great torment…."(29)

The price for the salvation of man’s soul has been paid on the cross according to the Christian doctrine, yet it is not appropriated by man. These are realistic representation of reality without any form of idealizing the ideas presented above.

There is the projection of friendship in Everyman which is an important doctrine in the medieval era. Many references are made to friendship in the text. When everyman was summoned by God to embark on a soul pilgrimage, he sought the company of his friends but unfortunately did not find any of them that loyal especially those he considers friends:

Everyman: Ah, Good, thou hast had my heartily love;

I gave thee that which should be the Lord’s above.

But with thou not go with me, indeed? (18:460)

The above is an accurate representation of the experience of man most often when he is in distress. Conley in Robin (2011:8) states that “…a friend cannot be called true until that friendship has been tested. In Cicero’s De amicitia (C 44 BCE), he asserts that "adversity is needed to find a true friend". In as much as everyman is surrounded by friends, it turns out in the face of his adversity that non has ever been a friend. The actions of everyman’s friends when viewed through the lens of psychological realism, it will draw attention to the fact that there is an intrinsic motivation to their actions. Selfishness will always inform a man’s desire to feign friendship considering the benefit attached.

The protagonist, everyman is an allegorical representation of mankind or humanity, who fits or stands as a perfect description of man in the medieval era. Through the protagonist, the playwright succeeded in using a part to project a whole. The struggles everyman is exposed to are synonymous to the struggles in the middle ages. Man was focused on the fight for the salvation of his soul and of paying his total allegiance to God in the midst of a difficult society where evil strives to take hold of his soul which good awaits him to opt for her. The main character in Everyman is confronted.

Morality plays are mostly written in simple vanicular in order to be accessible for the common man. It is not lengthy so can be performed within a short period of time. This is typical of the play Everyman (1508), the language is the language of the people and can be understood easily. This is clearly a form of realism, which advocate for a true to life representation of reality in every aspect.

The setting of morality plays are usually simple and plain so that there will not be any restriction during performance. It is mostly without scenery and/or many props. There is also no raised platform but has the audience on the performers on the same level. It is said to allow closeness between the audience and the performance. Everyman does not have a specific setting but can be deduced to be a representation of the world where man lives and loss his experiences as they present themselves. The readers can easily connect with the setting as a place that features his own experience.

EVERYMAN AND CONTEMPORARY REALITY

In the play Everyman (1508), the use of realism can be easily identified in relation to the contemporary society. Realism as a movement that explores real situations and experiences work can be said to give a text a long lasting effect, which Everyman can be considered as one of those texts: Everything the play everyman (1508) was produced during the medieval era to reveal the society and promote theological values, viewing the text through the mirror of realism the reader can see beyond the life and challenges of the individual society or man as it is produced in the play, rather the reader can vividly see the modern man overwhelmed by the challenges that constantly place him in the position to choose between good and evil, vice and virtue

The theme of preparing for the death, projected through the protagonist is common within the context of medieval era as well as the contemporary society, |Every individual identifies with the afterlife that is why he strives to live right through the desire to arises materials possession intercept him and sometimes he lives oblivious of this inevitable journey and then he self-indulgence puts him on a parallel line with his maker first the way. Everyman in the play forfeits the ways that lead him to shod, which includes hood deeds, charity, etc. . This therefore, illuminates the realist view of reflecting real issues in text as they appear happen. It further amplifies the psychological realism which processed the reason behind an action and not the action it. Besides the protagonist everyman whose pursuit of wealth realizes self-informed other character also has different reasons for their behavior, this reflects in the words of Gods as everyman seeks her company on his pilgrimage.

Goods: Nay, everyman, I say no

As for a while I was lent thee:

As reason thou hast had me in prosperity

My conditions is man’s soul to kill;

If I save one, a thousand I do spill.

Weenest thou that I will follow the? (18)

The excerpt above is a clear revelation of the real true intent of goods towards Everyman but everyman like the contemporary man did not realize that it is a waste to pursue material possessions having no reference to had which in the words of gods say ‘’…to thy soul Good is a thief’’(18). It is everyman motivation in relation to the contemporary man is relatable consider the factors that affect human existence. Man feels the need to command respect through material possession so this insatiable desire gather or continue to acquire more always pulls him closer to his damnation.

The play everyman therefore can be said to project real issues that are time bound through a medieval morality play the realist approach used by the play write brings reader(s) in every dispensation especially the modern man, to relate with the play and draw a moral lesson from it.