Everyman

Description

Everyman was originally a Dutch play from the fifteenth century and translated into English, Latin, and German. The English version, written in Early Modern English is of high poetic style. The play itself is just over 900 lines and runs about 50 minutes. The play was extremely popular during its time and only in the early 1900s was it dusted off for contemporary use. Audiences delighted in what they found and the play has been performed regularly ever since. This is the first professional adaptation of the drama. SUMMARY: God instructs Death to collect the soul of Everyman and bring him to his final judgment. Of course Everyman is loathe to follow and tries to buy Death off to no avail. Everyman discovers he is allowed to take any companion with him on his journey to face his reckoning before God. Everyman approaches his best friend, Fellowship, who reaffirms their bonds. When Everyman tells him of the journey, Fellowship offers to kill for him, or go drinking and whoring, but refuses to join him on this final journey. They part in sorrow. Everyman pursues Cousin and Kindred. Cousin begs off because of a stubbed toe. Kindred is a bit more generous and offers his maid as company instead. Leaving them in disgust, Everyman turns to the one he loves best - Worldly Goods. Goods abuses Everyman for his naïveté.In near despair, Everyman approaches Good Deeds. However, she is too weak and frail. She says that her sister Knowledge can aid him in freeing her. Knowledge instructs him to seek Confession and repent and soon Good Deeds is well enough to travel. For the remainder of the journey, they are joined by Strength, Beauty, Five Wits, and Discretion to advise and accompany him on this last leg of his journey. Though they too abandon him in the end. It is only Good Deeds who is true to her word and lies with him in the cold ground for the final judgment.

Runtime

52 minutes

Subjects

Genre

Database

Alexander Street

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