Encyclopedia of Fantasy (1997)
Everyman

Tagged: Theme.

The title of the most popular of all medieval British morality plays (circa 1509-1519), named after its central character. Called by Death, he learns that various of his friends – figures from Allegory with names like Fellowship and Kindred – refused to accompany him to Heaven, though Good Deeds remains loyal. In fantasy terms, Everyman is a Jack figure. Hugo von Hofmannsthal's Jedermann (1911) reworks the story; as does, in a non-supernatural mode, Morality Play (1995) by Barry Unsworth (1930-    ). [JC]