Everyman LRJ#1

Ryan Readinger, Alejandro Peltoniemi, Ian Hedstrom, Alex O'Brien

Ms. Peifer

English 10 IB Hour 5

January 29, 2009

The theme of the play is that of ones realization that you can't die with your peers or family, only your deeds follow you into death. In the play, Death is told by God to tell Everyman to go into Death, which is his journey. Everyman then tries to persuade all of his friends to accompany him on his journey, but to no avail. This is where Everyman comes to the realization that nobody will venture into hell with him, except for his friend Dr. Good-Deeds, which symbolizes his deeds, which are the only things that a man can take into death with him.

When Everyman tries to convince Fellowship to come into death with him, at first Fellowship complies with him, but soon after, he rejects Everyman's offer and decides not to. "[Fellowship] Yea, thereto ye would be ready;/ To go to mirth, solace, and play,/ Your mind will sooner apply/ Than to bear me company in my long journey./ [Fellowship] Now, in good faith, I will not that way./ But and thou wilt murder, or any man kill,/ In that I will help thee with a good will." This quote shows Fellowships unwillingness to die with Everyman. He tells Everyman that he will do anything else with him, just not die with him. This was the first of many let downs for Everyman. Everyman is disgruntled that no one will go on his journey with him, only Dr. Good-Deeds will go with him. That thought is the theme of the play.