Everyman is one of the most well-known examples of a morality play, a theatrical genre that was popular across Britain in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Deeply embedded in the beliefs and practices of Christianity and, more specifically, in Roman Catholicism, these plays seek to teach moral lessons through allegorical characters and narratives.
At the beginning of the play, a Messenger speaks directly to the audience, announcing the play’s status as a morality play and outlining the goals of the genre:
I pray you all give your audience,
And hear this matter with reverence,
By figure a moral play —
The Summoning of Everyman called it is,
That of our lives and ending shows
How transitory we be all day.
This matter is wondrous precious,
But the intent of it is more gracious,
And sweet to bear away.
The Messenger declares that the “moral play” will highlight the “transitory” nature of life on earth and the spiritual importance of Christian faith in determining the fate of an individual’s eternal soul. Indeed, as with other morality plays, Everyman underscores the importance of leading a virtuous life and being mindful of the afterlife. Through the protagonist Everyman's journey, the play aims to instruct the audience on the significance of spiritual values and the consequences of neglecting moral responsibilities.
