Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Medieval Drama. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4-page essay that discusses the theme of death in the medieval dramas Everyman and Dulcitius. During the fifteenth century, death was an omnipresent reality. Therefore, it is not surprising that death is a prominent theme in medieval dramas. This examination of medieval drama looks specifically at the role that death plays in Everyman and in Hrotsvitha's play Dulcitius. No additional sources cited.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khmedpl.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
and in the work of medieval playwright Hrotsvitha. The following examination of medieval drama looks specifically at the role that death plays in Everyman and in Hrotsvithas play Dulciitus.
In Everyman is a one-act allegorical play in which elements significant to life are personified. The play begins with a Messenger announcing the plays allegorical nature. He states, "The
Summoning of Everyman called it is,/That of our lives and ending shows/How transitory we be all day" (lines 4-6). Everyman (humanity) is called before God, which considers the church doctrine
that everyone will be called upon after death to give an accounting of his or her life to God. After the Messenger, God appears and states that humanity has forgotten
the sacrifice of the crucifixion. God calls Death and gives instructions that Everyman should be summoned to him for a reckoning. Everyman is not prepared for Death. "Oh Death, thou
comest when I had thee least in mind" (line 119). The journey of Everyman toward his reckoning with God mirrors the way that a life progresses. He tries to
take companions with him, but the only one willing to come is Good Deeds, who is too weakened by Sin to proceed. Along the way, he loses the natural attributes
of a person in his or her prime, that is, Beauty, Strength, Discretion, and Five-Wits. However, after Everyman is led to confession by Knowledge, Good Deeds rises and completes the
journey with him. A Doctor sums up the moral by telling the audience to ... forsake Pride, for he deceiveth you in the end. And remember Beauty, Five-Wits, Strength and
Discretion, They all at the last do Everyman forsake, Save the Good Deeds there doth he take (lines 904-907). As this indicates, the entire thrust of Everyman is towards
...