This question was asked by the editors of neelandistiek.nl on April 13 last. Elckerlyc’s book was used to answer this question: The Spyeghel der Salicheyt.
What is Elckerlyc?
Elckerlyc means everyone. It’s actually called a play The spyeghel of salicheyt. The story tells about how a person can be saved, that is, how he must prepare himself for death in such a way that he can gain access to heaven. It is a common theme in the late Middle Ages and it plays a major role in the literature of that time. Anyone who wants to die well and enter heaven cannot rely on money or possessions, but needs a clear conscience. To achieve this, it is necessary to confess to a priest and receive the last rites. There are even special booklets with lessons on how to die happily.
Allegory
In the Elckerlijc this lesson is told in the form of rhetorician theater. It is an allegorical play, which means that the characters embody abstract concepts. The main character does not have an everyday name, but is called Elckerlijc and his friends are called Gheselscap. This literary device also makes it possible to put human qualities on stage, such as Duecht or Kennisse.
The editors of Neerlandistiek write the following: “Elckerlyc, who represents every human being, is called by death to embark on a pilgrimage from which he will not return. He must give an account to God for his life. Elckerlyc obtains from Death that he can take a traveling companion with him. But Geselscap (his friends), Maghe and Neve (his family) and Goet (his possessions) are not prepared to go with him. Wisdom (Vroetscap), too, is not willing to go with him. Power, Schoonheyt and the five senses (Five Sins) quickly abandon him when they stand in front of the open burial pit. His self-knowledge (Kennisse) points out to him the importance of Virtue, who wants to go with him, but is ill in bed. Only after he has confessed and done penance does she get better and accompany him on his last journey Death Elckerlyc brings his message.”
The writer makes it clear to us that he is not just telling a story, but has something to say that affects all people. After all, it is a play and the characters must therefore be portrayed by flesh and blood people. For example, Elckerlijc would probably have looked like a wealthy merchant, while Death might have worn a costume with a skeleton painted on it! We’re all going to die without taking anything with us!
(Jerry Dewnarain, with thanks to the editors of neelandistiek.nl)
