Everyman and Mankind are morality plays which mark the turn of the medieval period to the early modern, with their focus on the individual. Everyman follows a man's journey towards death and his efforts to secure himself a life thereafter, whilst Mankind shows a man battling with temptation and sin, often with great humour.

Both texts are modernised here and edited to the highest standardsof scholarship, with full on-page commentaries giving the depth ofinformation and insight associated with all Arden editions.

The comprehensive, illustrated introduction argues that the playssignal the birth of the early modern consciousness and puts them intheirhistoric and religious contexts. An account is also given of thestaging and performance history of the plays and their critical historyand significance. With a wealth of helpful and incisive commentary thisis the finest edition of the plays available.