Two Sides of Humanity
The journey of life is like an endless highway. Any number of obstacles could be waiting over the next hill. Fortunately, we may choose our own paths just as we can make our own choices in life. Just as a map provides directions during an excursion, there is a divine guide that provides a map for humanity. For each of us are the administrators of our own destinies. The choice is ours. Thus, in the play Everyman, author unknown, the main character Everyman represents humanity and takes us on his journey through life the same as Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, the main character Dr. Faustus takes us along his expedition in life. These individuals represent the two sides of humanity. They each face death and their souls must pay for their past life. Each chose a different direction and now must pay the consequences for those choices. Hence, both men are driven by hubris except for each man travels a separate path towards their destiny. Everyman and Dr. Faustus are both driven towards power and success. The differences between them are the elements that are the force behind each. Dr. Faustus thrives on the pursuit for knowledge. He is exhilarated by education. This pursuit is equiv
Everyman. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Mack, Maynard, Vol. 1, Each character is also provided with encouragement in choosing the divine path. A good and bad angel provides guidance to Dr. Faustus. The path he takes is his choice alone. Unfortunately, due to greed and power, Dr. Faustus only listens to the bad angel. The good angel tells him, "O Faustus, lay that damned book aside And gaze not on it, lest it temp thy soul And heap God's heavy wrath upon thy head. Read, read the Scriptures!" Again, because both men were overcome with hubris they were driven by their need to be valued, one for knowledge the other for wealth. This pride was the demise of one side of humanity and the awakening of the other side. For instance, on one side there is Dr. Faustus. He is consumed by his need for power and knowledge. Selling his soul to Lucifer is only a small price to pay. However, in the end he realizes his mistakes. Instead of his soul spending eternity blissfully in heaven, his must "...live still to be plagued in hell" (2721). Because he lusted for more than mortality could offer, this once admired scholar burns in hell for his choices. On the other side of humanity is Everyman. This once greedy and selfish part of humanity soon realizes the mistake of overlooking the needy and serving God. Because of the realizations throughout the excursion, Everyman repents and chooses the path to God. This is not an easy feat for breaking the chain is hard and Everyman continues to slip along the journey. Even so, God opens his arms to Everyman. In the end Everyman states, "Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend..." (2054). Humanities relationship to the divine is riddled by back roads and main thoroughfares. The destiny of the soul is based exclusively on the guides that are chosen. For all humanity has a choice to make in life. Is the soul to burn in hell for worldly possessions or is it offered to the heavens for eternal happiness? Marlowe, Christopher. Dr. Faustus. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Mack, Maynard, Vol. 1, New York: W.W. Norton, 1995. 2672-2722. New York: W.W. Norton, 1995. 2033-2055. As humanity continues the journey for fulfillment, t
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Approximate Word count = 1506
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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