For Every Action, a Reaction

Mark Flournoy My perception of the good life is one full of excess and luxury. It is one that satisfies any short term desires or impulses, but isnt necessarily one of virtue or success. The good life can be great for some and disastrous for others and has choices within it. In the late 15th century English morality play Everyman, the main character Everyman faces death and is confronted with the life he has lived and choices made. The play is one intended to promote good deeds and a life that is virtuous. Everyman highlights my impression of the good life as one ultimately less important or impressive than a good life, by declaring Everymans journey towards judgment one he must take alone. The character of Goods, who is an embodiment of all things pertaining to a luxurious life or riches, or the good life, is of no help to Everyman at the end of his life. Goods claims that My love is contrary to the love everlasting. But if thou had me loved moderately during, As to the poor give part of me, Then shouldest thou not in this dolour be. Goods tells Everyman that love for riches is opposite to love for God. This counters any arguments in favor of living a life of excess by showing how little Goods serves if it is not balanced with good deeds. Good Deeds represents a good life, or even the good life if lived in moderation. When near judgment Good Deeds is too weak to accompany Everyman, saying Thy sins hath me sore bound making it more difficult for Everyman to comprise a presentable book of deeds. This further deteriorates any arguments in favor of satisfying material desires by living the good life if it is not in moderation. Throughout the scenes of the morality play Everyman, the interaction between personified ideas and the common man, the basic foundation of how to live in order to achieve salvation is laid out. While facing death the traits most coveted and revered upon judgment are those of good deeds,

faith, and moderation. Everyman himself has appeared to have lived the good life rather than a good life and is regretting it upon facing death, which he must do alone. Based upon the morality play, my own concept of what the good life is is validated, however also refuted the merit of living such in such a luxurious manner.