Self-knowledge (Knowledge) points out the importance of virtue (Virtue) but Virtue is too weak at first to help the protagonist. His wisdom (Wisdom), strength (Strength), beauty (Beauty) and five senses (Five Senses) initially seem to support him but they too demur once the grave is in sight. Elckerlijcs friend (Companion), family (Relative and Cousin) and material possessions (Goods) soon abandon him. That is, if he can find someone who is willing. He has to answer to God for his sinful and all too materialistic way of life.Įlckerlijc is granted one concession from Death: he can bring a travelling companion with him. Elckerlijc, which literally means “every man”, is told by Death that he must embark on a pilgrimage from which he will never return. To this end, he used characters that are not individuals but personifications of abstract concepts. The anonymous author of the play, who remains unknown to this day, portrayed the sudden confrontation of humans with death in a very direct and literal manner.
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