The Use of Symbols and Characters in "The Summoning of Everyman"

In the medieval morality play "The Summoning of Everyman", the use of symbols and characters plays a significant role in conveying the play's moral lessons and themes. The play, which focuses on the universal human experience of death and judgment, uses allegorical characters and symbolic actions to teach a moral lesson about the importance of living a virtuous life in preparation for the afterlife. The symbols and characters in the play are carefully crafted to represent various aspects of human nature, virtue, sin, and salvation. This essay will explore the symbolism and characterization in the play, discussing how these elements contribute to its overall message.

1. Allegorical Characters: Representation of Human Traits

The characters in "The Summoning of Everyman" are not intended to be fully fleshed-out, individual personalities but rather allegorical representations of different aspects of human life and moral values. The central character, Everyman, is a representation of the everyman—the ordinary human being, whose life is subject to the same universal fate of death and divine judgment. The play uses Everyman as a symbol of humanity, showcasing the common fate of all people, regardless of social status or wealth.

Everyman

Everyman is symbolic of all humankind and represents human mortality. His journey in the play symbolizes the human spiritual journey as he prepares for the inevitable encounter with death. As Death arrives to summon Everyman to account for his life, the character of Everyman reflects the human struggle with mortality and the ultimate realization that material wealth and earthly pleasures are insufficient for salvation.

Good Deeds

Good Deeds, an essential character in the play, serves as a symbol of virtue and the path to salvation. Unlike other characters, Good Deeds remains steadfast and loyal to Everyman. This character shows that, despite human shortcomings and flaws, good deeds—acts of kindness, compassion, and moral integrity—are crucial in securing a favorable judgment in the afterlife.

Knowledge

Knowledge is another key character who serves as a guide for Everyman. Representing spiritual understanding and the wisdom necessary for repentance, Knowledge helps Everyman recognize his sins and guides him toward penance. Knowledge symbolizes the human capacity for spiritual insight and the recognition of the importance of self-awareness in relation to divine morality.

Beauty, Strength, and Fellowship

Other characters, such as Beauty, Strength, and Fellowship, represent different aspects of human life that can distract people from their spiritual journey. Beauty symbolizes external attractiveness and the allure of vanity, Strength represents physical power, and Fellowship reflects earthly relationships. In the play, these characters abandon Everyman when he needs them the most, highlighting the ephemeral nature of worldly attributes and the fact that only virtue and repentance can accompany a person to the afterlife.

2. Symbolism in Settings and Actions

The settings and actions in "The Summoning of Everyman" are also deeply symbolic, contributing to the play's moral message.

The Journey to the Grave

The play’s setting transitions from the earthly world to the afterlife, with Everyman’s journey representing the path all humans must take toward death. As Everyman sets out on his journey, the play uses symbolic imagery to represent the inevitable nature of death. This journey symbolizes the final moments of life when individuals must confront their actions, their relationships, and their spiritual state before standing before God for judgment.

The Grave

The grave in the play represents the ultimate end of life and the beginning of eternal judgment. Everyman’s confrontation with the grave is the symbolic culmination of his life’s choices and his final reckoning with God. This setting emphasizes the finality of death and the spiritual consequences of a life lived in selfishness or virtue.

The Role of Death as a Symbol

The character of Death serves as the symbol of inevitable fate, which no one can escape. Death’s arrival is a reminder that time is limited, and the play encourages the audience to reflect on how they will prepare for judgment. Death’s role is both forceful and unavoidable, symbolizing the impermanence of life and the fact that earthly pleasures and achievements cannot delay or prevent death's arrival.

3. The Moral Lesson: Preparation for the Afterlife

The central moral lesson of the play is that human beings must prepare for the afterlife by living a virtuous life and performing good deeds. Through his journey, Everyman learns that his worldly possessions, including his wealth, beauty, and relationships, will not accompany him into death. Instead, it is the spiritual actions, such as penance, repentance, and the support of Good Deeds, that will determine his fate after death.

The Play’s Message

The play emphasizes that the true value of life lies not in the pursuit of material wealth or fleeting pleasures, but in a life that is aligned with moral righteousness and spiritual growth. Everyman’s moral journey reflects the idea that moral responsibility and spiritual awareness are essential for salvation.

Conclusion: The Power of Symbols and Characters in "The Summoning of Everyman"

In "The Summoning of Everyman," the use of allegorical characters and symbolism is essential to the development of the story and the communication of its moral lesson. The characters serve as representations of human traits, virtues, and vices, while the symbolism of the settings and actions reinforces the central message of the ephemeral nature of earthly life and the importance of moral integrity. By exploring the conflict between worldly desires and spiritual redemption, the play presents a timeless moral lesson about the necessity of preparing for the inevitable end of life through virtuous living and spiritual reflection. Through the allegory, Everyman serves as a representation of all humanity, urging the audience to reflect on their own lives and actions in light of their ultimate judgment.