Comparing Everyman and The Second Shepherds Play :: comparison compare contrast essays

Everyman and The Second Shepherds Play remind the audience that good deeds are necessary for redemption, however, they reinforce the idea that we must shun literal concerns to be redeemed. Both plays seek to reinforce these aspects of redemption to insure that all may be redeemed. The world is im faultless, and the only way we can make ourselves perfect and worthy of redemption is by not worrying about our material well being and performing good deeds. It is by disregarding our material concerns that leave alone us to perform good deeds. Everyman places his faith in material things, his fri rests, relatives and goods. These material things do him no good. Fellowship claims he will not forsake thee to my life-times end (Everyman 213), yet when Everyman asks Fellowship to accomp both him on his journey for redemption and ultimately death he will not go that loath journey- / Not for the acquire that begat me (Everyman 268-269). By placing his faith in man rather than God, he does no t receive any more comfort (Everyman 304). The same discourage manpowert greets Everyman after his dialogue with Cousin and Kindred. Kindred claims that they will live and die togither (Everyman 324), but abandons him soon after making this statement. After Kindred and Cousin leave him, Everyman realizes that fair promises men to me make, / but when I have most need they me forsake (Everyman 370-371). Since man will not help him, he turns to goods. Everyman realizes that the goods he has loved his whole life to thy soul is a thief (Everyman 447), they do nothing but hinder his eternal happiness. His reliance on people and goods has left Everymans soul in a precarious condition. The shepherds lives are similar to Everymans, because they too devote their time to worldly concerns. By fixating on their material well being, they follow the same path as Everyman, the path away from salvation. At the beginning of The Second Shepherds Play all three shepherds, Coll, Gib, and Daw, seek to relieve their pain by complaining. Their complaints are many, and justified, yet they turn over nothing. Although Coll thinks that It does me good, as I walk Thus by mine one, Of this world for to talk In manner of moan. ( Shepherds Lines 66-69) He really does not get any closer to redemption by doing this, although it may ease part of his emotional burden, his spiritual failings remain.