Everyman

English morality play

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Everyman, an English morality play of the 15th century, probably a version of a Dutch play, Elckerlyc. It achieves a beautiful, simple solemnity in treating allegorically the theme of death and the fate of the human soul—of Everyman’s soul as he tries to justify his time on earth. Though morality plays on the whole failed to achieve the vigorous realism of the Middle Ages’ scriptural drama, this short play (about 900 lines) is more than an allegorical sermon because vivid characterization gives it dramatic energy. It is generally regarded as the finest of the morality plays.

This article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering.