Anonymous
THE SUMMONING OF EVERYMAN,or
EVERY MAN.
A TREATISE HOW THE HIGH FATHER OF HEAVEN SENDETH DEATH TO SUMMON EVERY CREATURE
[?adaptation from Dorlandus's ELCKERLIJC?]
circa 1495–1500
a synoptic, alphabetical character list
ADONAI
Another name for God, who is also called Messiah, Jerusalem King, Jupiter, and Redeemer in the play.
ANGEL
The angel appears after Everyman descends into the grave, declaring that Everyman's soul will be taken into Heaven.
BEAUTY
An advisor to Everyman. Beauty represents Everyman's physical attractiveness and accompanies Everyman to the edge of the grave and then abandons him.
CONFESSION
A holy man. He helps Everyman prepare for his reckoning by showing him the importance of penance. Also called Shrift in the play.
COUSIN
A kinsman to Everyman. Cousin appears with Kindred but refuses to accompany Everyman on his journey to make his reckoning before God.
DEATH
Death is sent by God to call Everyman to his reckoning. Though Everyman begs, Death refuses to allow him an extra day for his reckoning.
DISCRETION
An advisor to Everyman. Discretion represents Everyman's reasoning faculties and accompanies Everyman to the edge of the grave and then abandons him.
DOCTOR
The Doctor of Theology speaks an epilogue reminding the audience of the moral of the play: make sure you are prepared for the day of your reckoning before God.
EVERYMAN
Everyman, enjoying the things of the world, is surprised by Death who informs him that he must answer for his life before God. He asks for time to prepare his account book, but is refused even a single additional day. Seeking friends to accompany him on his journey, he finds most of his former companions unwilling to help. He first goes to Fellowship, then meets his Kindred and Cousin, and after that Goods. Finally he comes upon Good Deeds, too weak to stand. She sends Everyman to her sister, Knowledged. Eventually, guided by Knowledge, Everyman learns the value of penance. Everyman's penance strengthens Good Deeds. He is then joined by his physical attributes: Beauty, Strength, Discretion, and Five Wits (senses). These physical aspects abandon him at the grave, as does Knowledge (faith). Interestingly the physical attributes abandon him in an order representing the aging process: first Beauty, then Strength, followed by Discretion and finally the senses, Five Wits, leave. It is Good Deeds alone who accompanies Everyman when he goes to face God. His account book finally in order, Everyman's soul is able to proceed into Heaven.
FELLOWSHIP
Friend to Everyman. Fellowship, though he protests unfailing loyalty to Everyman, deserts him when he learns that Death has called him make a reckoning before God.
FIVE WITS
An advisor to Everyman. Five Wits represents Everyman's five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell) and accompanies Everyman to the edge of the grave and then abandons him.
GOD
A great King. Noting that sin and selfish pleasure have become widespread among his people, God sends Death to call Everyman to a reckoning. Also called Adonai, Messiah, Jerusalem King, Jupiter, and Redeemer in the play.
GOOD DEEDS
A companion and counselor to Everyman. Good Deeds, unlike Everyman's other friends, is willing to accompany him to make his reckoning, but Everyman's life of sin has left Good Deeds too weak to make the journey. Good Deeds suggests that Everyman consult Knowledge, Good Deeds' sister. After Everyman does penance, Good Deeds revives and accompanies Everyman on his journey, promising never to leave him and to speak on his behalf. Even as Everyman descends into the grave, Good Deeds goes with him to face God.
GOODS
A companion and advisor to Everyman. Goods represents Everyman's worldly riches and is probably the Vice of the play. He refuses to accompany Everyman on his journey to make his reckoning before God.
JERUSALEM KING
Another name for God, who is also called Adonai, Messiah, Jupiter, and Redeemer in the play.
JUPITER
Another name for God, who is also called Adonai, Messiah, Jerusalem King, and Redeemer in the play.
KINDRED
A kinsman to Everyman. Kindred accompanies Cousin and refuses to accompany Everyman on his journey to make his reckoning before God.
KNOWLEDGE
Sister to Good Deeds, Knowledge (a term probably referring to faith) serves as a guide to Everyman on his journey to give his accounting before God. Knowledge, like Everyman's other advisors, goes with him to the grave but not into it.
MESSENGER
The messenger speaks a prologue warning audience members to heed the message of the play: the dangers of sin and inevitability of death with its consequent reckoning before God.
PRIESTHOOD
A "ghost character" to whom Everyman goes to receive the sacraments. It is an interesting coup de théâtre that Everyman must leave the stage to visit Priesthood because a) the sacraments are private; b) all seven actors are on stage at that time, so no one is left to play the part; and c) the actor playing Everyman is given his only rest at this sequence in the play's action.
REDEEMER
Another name for God, who is also called Adonai, Messiah, Jerusalem King, and Jupiter in the play.
SHRIFT
Alternate name for the holy man called Confession.
STRENGTH
An advisor to Everyman. Strength represents Everyman's physical prowess and accompanies Everyman to the edge of the grave and then abandons him.