ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Confession Confession is described as a holy man. He gives Everyman a penance that absolves his sins and frees Good-Deeds to go with Everyman before God. Cousin Cousin is Everyman’s relative, who pledges his support but forsakes him when Everyman is called by Death.

Detailed explanation-2: -Good-Deeds is the personification of Everyman’s good deeds. She is weak when she is introduced, as Everyman’s sinful behavior has depleted her, but she becomes stronger and stronger as Everyman purges his sins.

Detailed explanation-3: -After his scourging, Everyman is absolved of his sins, and as a result, Good Deeds becomes strong enough to accompany Everyman on his journey with Death. Good Deeds then summons Beauty, Strength, Discretion and Five Wits to join them, and they agree to accompany Everyman as he goes to a priest to take sacrament.

Detailed explanation-4: -Doctor. A Doctor of Theology makes the final speech. He tells the audience to remember that all of Everyman’s companions-Beauty, Strength, Discretion, and Five Wits-abandoned him on his final journey. It is only man’s good deeds that will save him.

Detailed explanation-5: -The sister of Good-Deeds, Knowledge guides Everyman on his pilgrimage when Good-Deeds is still too weak to do so. She represents knowledge-not knowledge in general, but the specific the knowledge and teachings of the Catholic Church-and she instructs Everyman to repent for his sins and take Catholic sacraments.