theater art class

Abdulla Al suwaidi

TA 160

‘The Everyman Play’

The play dubbed ‘Everyman’ has an interesting story line that underscores the constant struggles in human life. The play was first written in 1508, and it reflects the unchanging nature of humans (Orr 33). Since the beginning of time, human beings have had a constant fight between doing good and evil. Ideally, evil and good actions represent different values and have evident consequences. Accordingly, every action in this world will have a subsequent result that will affect the next life or circumstance. This is the guiding principle in the ‘Everyman’ play as it underscores the repercussions of undertaking either good or evil actions (Orr 35). For example, one of the characters experiences great unkindness from all the creatures around him. The character explains how people are living fearlessly enjoying worldly pleasures. They are intoxicated with sin and do not even care to know their God. The human beings are only focused on acquiring worldly possessions at the expense of their morality. The people are filled with greed for earthly things that they do not fear God’s punishment. They no longer care about being righteous and are not afraid that God is watching them. They have already forgotten that on this earth, every decision and action has a good or bitter result (Orr 38).

This play seeks to underscore the equilibrium between evil and good on earth. It underscores that punishment is inevitable for any wrongful act whether in this life or the next. The play underpins the constructs of fighting good and evil, and life and death. Research indicates that human beings often opt to follow both good and evil. The promise of experiencing a blessed future does limit this tendency (Orr 42). Additionally, human nature is to error thus the constant appeal to try out the prohibited things in the world. This is greatly attributed to the morally weak nature of most individuals. However, this does not rule out the fact that sometimes, the human beings triumph over their desire to commit evil.

Through religion by having blessed sacraments that are benevolent and unadulterated, the human being can be saved from sin. God has the capacity to eliminate the sinful nature of man through acceptance and repenting. God in His everlasting kindness is gracious and kind to the human kind. The play underscores the temporary nature of human beings in this world as they are sojourners. It underpins the seven covenants that human beings who believe in God and goodness should follow. These include baptism, penance, marriage, priesthood, extreme holy ointment, the Holy Communion and high divinity (Orr 45).

The play also underscores the different attributes and disadvantages of being human. Human beings are endowed with power, splendor, decision, compassion and wisdom. However, human beings will experience different results depending on their decisions and choices. Therefore, they must take personal responsibility for all their actions. Ideally, some human beings will opt to escape taking blame for their actions. However, it is impossible to escape moral punishment on this earth. Interestingly, every human being will face judgment whether they are alive or dead (Orr 49). Heaven will be for those who lived a virtuous life, and no one with fault will see God. This play underscores that karma is a natural part of life for both believers and non-believers. Human beings should be keen in doing good to achieve good results in the future. The play underpins the benefits of doing good things without malice and hidden agendas. It underscores the virtues of purity, simplicity, and kindness as necessary actions in the world (Orr 55). Ideally, this is a good read for all ages as it underpins the natural and simple truths about life. Accordingly, it is a good reminder for the adults about the world and how justice is served regardless on power or might.