Question

from everyman
everyman: alack! shall we thus depart indeed?
our lady, help, without any more comfort,
lo, fellowship forsaketh me in my most need:
for help in this world whither shall i resort?
fellowship herebefore with me would merry make;
and now little sorrow for me doth he take.
it is said, in prosperity men friends may find,
which in adversity be full unkind.
now whither for succour shall i flee,
sith that fellowship hath forsaken me?
to my kinsmen i will truly,
praying them to help me in my necessity;
i believe that they will do so,
for kind will creep where it may not go.
i will go say, for yonder i see them go.
where be ye now, my friends and kinsmen?
kindred: here be we now at your commandment.
cousin, i pray you show us your intent
in any wise, and not spare
cousin: yea, everyman, and to us declare
if ye be disposed to go any whither,
for wete you well, we will live and die together.
kindred: in wealth and woe we will with you hold,
for over his kin a man may be bold
everyman: gramercy, my friends and kinsmen kind.
now shall i show you the grief of my mind:
i was commanded by a messenger,
which excerpt from everyman best represents how everyman is characterized overall in the passage?
it is said, in prosperity men friends may find,
which in adversity be full unkind.
i believe that they will do so,
for kind will creep where it may not go.
for i have a great enemy, that hath me in wait,
which intendeth me for to hinder.
but when i have most need, they me forsake.
i am deceived; that maketh me sad.

Explanation:

To determine the best excerpt characterizing Everyman, we analyze his situation: he is abandoned by Fellowship in his time of need and feels betrayed. The excerpt "But when I have most need, they me forsake. I am deceived; that maketh me sad" directly reflects his feelings of being forsaken and deceived, aligning with his overall characterization. Other options either state a general truth about friends (first option), express trust in kin (second), or focus on an enemy (third), not capturing Everyman's personal experience of betrayal.

Answer:

D. But when I have most need, they me forsake. I am deceived; that maketh me sad.