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Landry McRee
DRAM 3713
16 April 2017
would be a key element of design. Everyman, author unknown, was written in the late
15th century as a morality play. It follows the story of Everyman and his journey towards
valued throughout his life and seeks for one of them to join him on his journey towards
the afterlife. Though Everyman encounters Fellowship, Goods, Beauty, Knowledge and
others it is only Good-Deeds who will accompany him to his grave. It is important that
every element in this production contributes to the teaching aspect of the play and helps
the author contribute the message that is intended. This extends not only to sets and
lights but also to costumes. I have chosen to detail the costume I would provide the
The character of Good-Deeds is introduced half way through the play after
Everyman has been rejected several times. When we meet this character she is on the
ground unable to speak or move because she is so weakened. When Everyman begins
to question her we discover it is because of neglect that she is so weak. She was
abused throughout the life of Everyman and sin has weighed her down. After Everyman
goes to confession and clears his slate Good-Deeds is able to accompany him and
white chiffon gown that is reminiscent of a Grecian goddess, there would also be a
detachable white chiffon ruffled cape that Good-Deeds would appear in during her
introductory scene. This should create the affect of a heap of chiffon during the first
scene where Everyman is searching for Good-Deeds, helping the illusion that she is
buried and overwhelmed. When Good-Deeds rises from this pile she would remove the
cape and be left with a still flowing but more tailored dress.
There are many symbolic elements to this costume, the first is the color. White is
traditionally representative of purity and hope. Good-Deeds offers both of these in this
play especially after Everyman seeks penance for his sins. White also represents
spirituality and since Good-Deeds is the only character able to cross over to the spirit
realm as a part of Everymans life I felt it was an appropriate choice. The choice of
fabric, chiffon, is also important. Chiffon is a light and movable fabric that will create a
floaty and heavenly presence onstage, but also will contrast to the weight of the journey
Everyman is taking. The reference to a Greek goddess in the silhouette of the dress is
to represent the elevated status of Good-Deeds. While this character is not placed on
the same level as God or Death, she is valued higher in the end than any of the futile
Everyman and would communicate a clear picture of purity and eternity to the audience.
The play ends with the explanation of this journey and how it affects all men, not just
those in the audience or the one represented in the play. And Angel states,
This is a perfect example of the value Good-Deeds should embody and how it should
be communicated in a production.