Review (PDF) Everyman And Other Miracle And Morality Plays (Dover Thrift Editions)
Western drama, having all but disappeared during the Dark Ages, reemerged spontaneously in the liturgy and life of the medieval church. Vernacular miracle plays of England's Middle Ages were performed by lay people — many by trade guilds — unschooled in church Latin, but familiar with the biblical events upon which the dramas were based. Morality plays provided moral instruction, their principal characters vivid personifications of virtue and vice. The most durable of the morality plays has proven to be Everyman, whose central character, summoned by Death, must face final judgment on the strength of his good deeds. This venerable drama is reprinted here along with three other medieval classics: The Second Shepherds' Play, Noah's Flood, and Hickscorner.
Series: Dover Thrift Editions
Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Dover Publications; 1 edition (October 24, 1995)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0486287262
ISBN-13: 978-0486287263
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.3 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #56,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Dramas & Plays > Medieval #9 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Dramas & Plays > Anthologies #83 in Books > Literature & Fiction > British & Irish > Dramas & Plays
"We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons." ~Jim RohnAs part of my quest to read more classic plays I picked up Everyman for a quick read (only 39 pages). Everyman is a one act play that was written centuries ago. The earliest English version dates from approximately 1520. It's amazing how relevant the play is nearly 500 years later, although concerns of morality and mortality never really change.The play/poem starts with Death visiting Everyman. Naturally Everyman does not feel prepared for the day of reckoning and pleads for more time. Death denies the request; however, he allows Everyman a little time to find someone to speak in support of him. Everyman goes to Fellowship, Cousin, and Kindred asking for help and they all promise to help him with anything he needs. When he tells them what he desires they all understandably renege on their promise.He visits Goods who he has "loved the most", for surely he will go with him. Everyman pleads with Goods to come and says, "Money maketh all right that is wrong." Goods responds, "Nay, Everyman, I sing another song, I follow no man in such voyages. For and I went with thee, thou shouldst fare much the worse for me; for because on me thou did set thy mind, thy reckoning I have made blotted and blind." That's good stuff right there.Next he visits Good-Deeds who hardly knows him and who is weak due to lack of attention. Everyman says, "Therefore I come to you, my moan to make; I pray you, that you will go with me." Good-Deeds responds, "I would full fain, but I cannot stand verily." Everyman responds, "Why, is there anything on you fall?
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