Allegory in 'Everyman' and 'The Pilgrim's Progress'
3. Discuss how and why allegory is used in ‘Everyman’ and ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ to communicate their different religious meanings.
Published roughly two centuries apart, ‘Everyman’ and ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ are two very different, yet highly similar pieces of religious literature. Laying a great deal of emphasis on “salvation through good works and sacraments” (Lecture), the late medieval play ‘Everyman’ is a profound piece of Catholic work with strong religious purpose. Everyman’s search for a companion on his journey towards death, and his encounter with different characters reflects on his moral views and attitude towards his religion. As a form of morality play, the plot is set to teach something about the human condition. Religious truths are thus dramatized in the play for didactic motives (Cicily). Unlike in ‘Everyman’ where God’s judgment for salvation depends on Everyman’s good deeds and the way he spends his life, the journey towards salvation in ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ is Christian’s individual and internal spiritual experience (Lecture). Any human deeds or status do not play a part in the attainment for religious salvation since salvation came from God’s grace and will alone. Christian’s final achievement for salvation is a major expression of John Bunyan’s work as a piece of Calvinist literature. With strict predestination as the central Calvinist belief, salvation is only offered to the elect – those who were predestined for salvation, just like Christian in the story. As variant as their communication of religious meanings may be, ‘Everyman’ and ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ are highly similar in their literary forms – they are both allegories. Both texts employ the heavy use of symbolism in their allegory to help illustrate the coherent doctrines which is hoped to be express and comprehended through the literature (Cumberland). This essay will go on to explain and exemplify in detail, the ways in which allegory is used in ‘Everyman’ and ‘The
Published roughly two centuries apart, ‘Everyman’ and ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ are two very different, yet highly similar pieces of religious literature. Laying a great deal of emphasis on “salvation through good works and sacraments” (Lecture), the late medieval play ‘Everyman’ is a profound piece of Catholic work with strong religious purpose. Everyman’s search for a companion on his journey towards death, and his encounter with different characters reflects on his moral views and attitude towards his religion. As a form of morality play, the plot is set to teach something about the human condition. Religious truths are thus dramatized in the play for didactic motives (Cicily). Unlike in ‘Everyman’ where God’s judgment for salvation depends on Everyman’s good deeds and the way he spends his life, the journey towards salvation in ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ is Christian’s individual and internal spiritual experience (Lecture). Any human deeds or status do not play a part in the attainment for religious salvation since salvation came from God’s grace and will alone. Christian’s final achievement for salvation is a major expression of John Bunyan’s work as a piece of Calvinist literature. With strict predestination as the central Calvinist belief, salvation is only offered to the elect – those who were predestined for salvation, just like Christian in the story. As variant as their communication of religious meanings may be, ‘Everyman’ and ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ are highly similar in their literary forms – they are both allegories. Both texts employ the heavy use of symbolism in their allegory to help illustrate the coherent doctrines which is hoped to be express and comprehended through the literature (Cumberland). This essay will go on to explain and exemplify in detail, the ways in which allegory is used in ‘Everyman’ and ‘The
Citations: 1. Anon. “Everyman”. 2. Bunyan, John. “The Pilgrim’s Progress”. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. 3. Calvinism. Wikipedia. 10th May 2007. 4. Cicily. “Everyman”. Home page. 7th May 2007. 5. Johnston, Ian. “Introduction to Pilgrim’s Progress”. Malaspina University-College. Nov 1998. 9th May 2007.