The setting of Everyman is not tied to a specific geographical or historical location. Instead, it is an allegorical representation of the journey of Everyman, who represents all of humanity, past and present. The play is more concerned with moral and spiritual themes than with a realistic depiction of a particular time or place, and no specific cities or nations are mentioned. However, the broader context of the play is Christian, reflecting the Catholic beliefs that were predominant across most of Europe at the time of the play’s composition. For example, Good-Deeds’s argument that only the priests and holy sacraments of the Church can lead an individual on the path towards heaven reflects Catholic beliefs.
The structure of the play involves various locations as Everyman travels through an allegorical landscape, meeting personifications of virtues and vices along the way. The primary focus is on the journey of the soul and the moral choices Everyman makes in the face of his impending death. The play's setting is more abstract, emphasizing the universal nature of its moral lessons rather than a concrete, historical context. Though Everyman undertakes a journey throughout the course of the play, this journey is symbolic rather than literal. He moves from an abstract area populated by his friends and family towards his gravestone, ultimately reaching heaven with the assistance of Good-Deeds.
