English Literature / Unit 5 ENL 0412 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Everyman and the Morality Play
Captions available
The idea
A morality play dramatizes a soul's choice through allegorical figures and stands alone, unlike the cycles. In Everyman, Death summons Everyman, and Kin, Friendship, Strength and Beauty desert him in turn; only Good Deeds goes with him to the grave.
In practice
Death calls; only good deeds stay.
Where people slip
The figures are abstractions given parts.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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