Symbolism and the Play Everyman The play Everyman dates back to medieval times and has affected

charitable acts. Good-Deeds wishes to go along with Everyman on his

journey before death, but he has been too weak. With being to weak Good-

Deeds' sister, Knowledge, decides to go along. This shows symbolism through

his charitable acts. Good-Deeds' costume symbolizes happiness by far

and peace and perhaps was the color yellow. Good-Deeds' actions during the play

are also symbolic. Good-Deeds helps Everyman accept going to the grave

in a peaceful way. This is symbolic to Everyman because of the good he does

for other people in helping them along on their journey through life.

Confession is also another very symbolic character in the play

Everyman especially through his name, costume, and actions. Confession

gives penance and perhaps the Act of Contrition to Everyman to say to redeem

himself from his sins. Confessions' costume was probably along the lines of

white, meaning innocence and purity. During the play, Confession acts by

helping Everyman confess his sins and gives him penance for his sins. This is

symbolic to how the Roman Catholic Church performs reconciliation, where

followers can redeem themselves for sins they have made.

During the play, Death lets Everyman search for somebody to go with

him on his pilgrimage to his grave. Death is another symbolic character to the

play Everyman. Death is symbolic to death and the dying process. The dying

process' steps are: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and

Acceptance. Death most likely wore the color black, resembling sorrow,

sadness and the sign of mourning. Death's actions are to tell Everyman that

he is going to come face to face with death no matter what, even if he can

bring somebody with. This symbolizes how many people today think that

death can be delayed, but it's ultimately the end for everyone.

In conclusion, Everyman uses symbolism to portray the lessons of life.

Symbolism has been represented through characters, Good-Deeds,

Confession, and Death, in the play Everyman. The common people in the

medieval ages only had morality plays, such as Everyman, to teach them the

lessons in life. This helped prepare them for the events that happened

throughout the play. Everyman is a famous morality play that is still

preformed and studied today in theatres and classrooms. It not only teaches

major life lessons but symbolism as well.