Everyman

Everyman

In literature and drama, the term everyman has come to mean an ordinary individual, with whom the audience or reader is supposed to be able to identify easily, and who is often placed in extraordinary circumstances. The name derives from a 15th century English morality play called Everyman.

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Famous quotes containing the word everyman:

    Everyman, I will go with thee, and be thy guide
    In thy most need to go by thy side.
    —Unknown. Everyman (l. 522–523)

    It is the blankness that follows gaiety, and Everyman must depart
    Out there into stranded night, for his destiny
    Is to return unfruitful out of the lightness
    That passing time evokes.
    John Ashbery (b. 1927)

    All earthly things is but vanity:
    Beauty, Strength, and Discretion do man forsake,
    Foolish friends and kinsmen, that fair spake—
    All fleeth save Good Deeds, and that am I.
    —Unknown. Everyman (l. 870–873)