Everyman (ca. 1485)
Middle Ages Background:
(500-1500 A.D.)
- Begins with collapse of Western Roman Empire (See
Timelines
)
- Ends with
- "discovery" of Western Hemisphere,
- Invention of printing press (1455: Gutenberg Bible),
- Break in the religous unity through Protestant Reformation,
and
- Renewal of direct contact with Greek Art, Thought, and
Literature
- Question: What group brought about this
renewed Greek contact?
How?
Literature reflects, as did The Iliad, a Heroic Age:
- Main heroes are kings or chieftains
- Main concerns are war, power, wealth, and glory
- In 14th C., Warrior begins to play a smaller role.
Transition from Roman Empire to Medieval Europe:
- Roman Empire: Strong Political Unity, Spiritual Variety
- Medieval Europe: Political Disunity, Spiritual &
Intellectual Unity
- Question: What was the standard language of
Europe?
Things to Consider:
- Relationship between Human and God
- History
- Allegory
- Morality Play
** Homework Questions **
142:
- What are three defining features of the Middle Ages?
143:
- What is a miracle play? What is a morality play? (See also
397)
399:
- What type of play is Everyman?
401:
- What are the Seven Deadly Sins?
- What is a reckoning? Why does God want one from
Everyman?
412:
- Why is Good Deeds able to rise?
- What is the "garment of contrition"(412)?
414:
- What are the seven sacraments? List them.
- Explain: "No remedy we find under God / But all only
priesthood"
(414).
417:
- In the end, who does in fact go with Everyman? Why?
Other Discussion Questions:
145:
- What are the four levels of Biblical textual interpretation
according
to the system of fourfold allegory?
- What is humanism?
395:
- What literary forms evolved during the Medieval Period?
402:
- Explain Death's words: "I set not by gold, silver, nor
riches, /
Nor
by pope, emperor, king, duke, nor princes" (402).
403:
- What does "weenest" mean? (See also 408).
404:
- Explain: "I will not forsake thee, unto my life's end"
(404).
Does Fellowship mean this? Explain (See also Cousin on 406).
406:
- Explain: "It is said, in prosperity men friends may
find,
/ Which
in adversity be full unkind" (406).
407:
- Explain Goods's speech on this page.
408:
- Explain:
- For because on me thou did set thy mind,
- Thy reckoning I have made blotted and blind,
- That thine account thou cannot make truly;
- And that hast thou for the love of me. (408)
- Explain:
- But if thou had me loved moderately during,
- As to the poor to give part of me,
- Then shouldst thou not in this dolor be. (408)
- Explain:
- Therefore to thy soul Good is a thief;
- For when thou art dead, this is my guise--
- Another to deceive in the same wise
- As I have done thee, and all to his soul's reprief. (408)
409:
- Why does Everyman hesitate to go ask Good Deeds to come with
him?
- Why is she "cold in the ground" (409)?
411:
- What is a "scourge"?
Why must Everyman endure one?
413:
- Who agrees to go with Everyman?
414:
- What is "extreme unction" (414)?
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