Final answer:
The lesson from 'Everyman' centers on the idea that good deeds and moral behavior are vital for the afterlife over worldly possessions and superficial relationships. It emphasizes the eternal impact of living with virtues such as wisdom, compassion, and courage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The moral lesson taught by Everyman, which is a morality play from the 15th century, emphasizes the spiritual journey and moral values required for salvation at the time of death. Contrary to focusing on the accumulation of wealth or selecting friends for personal gain, the drama suggests that good deeds, repentance, and faith are the true companions that will accompany an individual in the afterlife. Thus, the play teaches that ethical and virtuous behavior in life resonates beyond our mortal existence.
Reflecting the philosophies of various thinkers through history, the narrative of Everyman aligns with the idea that a life lived with moral rectitude, demonstrated through actions such as charity, kindness, and piety, is what defines a meaningful existence. The character of Everyman recognizes that material possessions and fair-weather friends are transient and that genuine values like wisdom, compassion, and courage, which are recognized as universally moral, persist beyond the human life span. Ultimately, the play's characters, like Good Deeds, symbolize the moral qualities one must nurture for a favorable judgement after death.