Van Laan also states in his analysis of Everyman that in between all the episodes of asking his figures for support and company, that he is alone on stage. Van Laan refers to this act as, “a visual representation of increasing loneliness.” This serves as a direct example of performance theory. Everyman was alone and in solitary in between having conversations with the allegorical figures, especially Fellowship, Cousin and Kindred, Goods and Good Deeds. In the play, Everyman is alone to show that he is slowly accepting the fact that he may have to face this journey alone. None of the figures wish to accompany him on this terrifying pilgrimage. Everyman’s holds his reactions to each denial of company in complete soliloquy. One may interpret
…show more content…
Five Wits and Knowledge instruct Everyman to seek out a priest. Five Wits instructs him, "The blessed sacraments seven there be: Baptism, confirmation, with priesthood good…And the sacrament of God's Precious flesh and blood …Marriage, the holy extreme unction, and penance" (722-725). Everyman must show God he is committed to a life of change. God has sacrificed a significant amount for Everyman, such as, “when I for them died/ shedding of my blood red/ I hanged between two/ with thorns hurt was my head” (29-33). God is extremely disappointed by the life that Everyman has lived. He has sinned, lied, cheated, and more. God wants Everyman to pay for the life he has lived and the damage he has done and finally take responsibility for the wrongs he has done. Knowledge states, “Everyman, harken what I say: Go to priesthood, I advise you…” (706-707). Everyman has completed his repentance and scourging in order to enter Heaven. These are both requirements by God in order to gain acceptance in the afterlife. The next step Everyman must take is the process of the seven blessed sacraments and holy rituals. Everyman must commit to these inward and outward changes in order to move forward and gain forgiveness for his life. Baptism is something that represents a rebirth into Everyman’s new, changed life. This is a symbol to his honest step forward into a new life. Communion …show more content…
Everyman did not have to do these things in order to complete his pilgrimage or to face his final judgment in the face of God. Everyman accomplished these tasks in the hope that he would not be dammed for the rest of his life. One perspective of Everyman’s actions could be seen as he has lived an evil and selfish life and finally wanted to relieve his sins and take responsibility for his actions in the last few hours he had before facing his fate. On the other hand, a perspective could be that Everyman completed those actions in a performance to persuade God. He could have acted as if he was indeed trying to relieve his sins during his flagellation, but it could have been an act to persuade Knowledge and Five Wits he was a changed man and they should accompany him on his dreadful pilgrimage. Everyman was performing these actions in order to persuade the allegorical figures and deceive God into thinking he actually struggled with good and evil and became a better person because of it. At the judgment Everyman states to God, “ Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend; receive it/save me from the fiend’s boast/be saved at the day of doom”
Five Wits and Knowledge instruct Everyman to seek out a priest. Five Wits instructs him, "The blessed sacraments seven there be: Baptism, confirmation, with priesthood good…And the sacrament of God's Precious flesh and blood …Marriage, the holy extreme unction, and penance" (722-725). Everyman must show God he is committed to a life of change. God has sacrificed a significant amount for Everyman, such as, “when I for them died/ shedding of my blood red/ I hanged between two/ with thorns hurt was my head” (29-33). God is extremely disappointed by the life that Everyman has lived. He has sinned, lied, cheated, and more. God wants Everyman to pay for the life he has lived and the damage he has done and finally take responsibility for the wrongs he has done. Knowledge states, “Everyman, harken what I say: Go to priesthood, I advise you…” (706-707). Everyman has completed his repentance and scourging in order to enter Heaven. These are both requirements by God in order to gain acceptance in the afterlife. The next step Everyman must take is the process of the seven blessed sacraments and holy rituals. Everyman must commit to these inward and outward changes in order to move forward and gain forgiveness for his life. Baptism is something that represents a rebirth into Everyman’s new, changed life. This is a symbol to his honest step forward into a new life. Communion …show more content…
Everyman did not have to do these things in order to complete his pilgrimage or to face his final judgment in the face of God. Everyman accomplished these tasks in the hope that he would not be dammed for the rest of his life. One perspective of Everyman’s actions could be seen as he has lived an evil and selfish life and finally wanted to relieve his sins and take responsibility for his actions in the last few hours he had before facing his fate. On the other hand, a perspective could be that Everyman completed those actions in a performance to persuade God. He could have acted as if he was indeed trying to relieve his sins during his flagellation, but it could have been an act to persuade Knowledge and Five Wits he was a changed man and they should accompany him on his dreadful pilgrimage. Everyman was performing these actions in order to persuade the allegorical figures and deceive God into thinking he actually struggled with good and evil and became a better person because of it. At the judgment Everyman states to God, “ Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend; receive it/save me from the fiend’s boast/be saved at the day of doom”