Everyman

Everyman and Its Dutch Original, Elckerlijc. Ed. Clifford Davidson, Martin W. Walsh, and Ton J. Broos. Kalamazoo, MI: Medieval Institute Publications, 2007.

Like the scene pictured above from the 1957 The Seventh Seal, Everyman involves a man, literally confronted by death, coming to terms with the end of his life. On one level, this play operates as a somewhat expected allegory of proper Christian confession and absolution in the face of death, emphasizing the value of Good Deeds over flighty companions of the material world, but the TEAMS introductions raises an interesting point about how this text goes about that end. Specifically, rather focusing on the abstract Everyman uses the social interrelations between Everyman and his companions, including those that abandon him, to punch home the lesson of what is truly important when approaching one's "rekenynge" with the Almighty. 

After coming to terms with the fact that his path leads inexorably to his death, Everyman seeks comfort and companionship from those that were important in his life. His first choice, Fellowship, makes great pledges to stand by Everyman against any task he would face, but when Everyman explains the end goal of that journey Fellowship quickly remembers he left the stove on. Similarly, Everyman seeks the assistance of Kin and Cousin, hoping for familial ties to bind stronger than those of friendship, and he is of course again forsaken. Everyman goes on to be abandoned by Goods, Beauty, Strength, and even Five Wits, lying down into his grave alone, bereft of all companionship save Knowledge and Good Deeds. This plot fits well with the theological point to emphasize the transience of worldly goods and relationships in the face of devotion to God, but the dramatic affect has the audience witness a man who was confident in his standing in the world reduced to nothing, bereft of all friendships and loyalties, facing the grave and his maker with nothing but the knowledge of his sinful life and his last ditch attempt at Good Deeds to balance his account book. Rather than getting lost in the abstract ideas of death, confession, and redemption, the dramatic impact of Everyman brings these ideas home with great impact. 

For my research interests, Everyman has some interesting things to say about approaching salvation through economic means. When first confronted by Death, Everyman attempts to offer him great financial reimbursement for a stay of execution. Yet, Everyman quickly learns that as he nears death the value of his wealth and worldly goods matters little when they must all be left behind. Accordingly, the conversation with Goods is quite telling, and only it is only after this abandonment, in something that Everyman seems to have placed a great deal of trust in, that he is willing to turn to his last pitiful chance, Good Deeds. Everyman's confrontation with the uselessness of Goods as one approaches (or is approached by) Death is further highlighted by the text's continued use of the term "rekenynge." According to the MED, this Middle English term does have a connotation of "accounting for one's conduct, esp. to God," it can further refer to "the act or an instance of calculation, computation, accounting, or bookkeeping" or "a record of use of money or property; a statement of accounts." Alongside the other economic issues that Everyman presents, the text seems largely concerned in balancing one's accounts properly, acknowledging what is truly valuable in a world where the material is only an obfuscating factor for truly valuable spiritual goods.