The Renaissance was the time when creativity and imagination were at their height. These ideals appeared in many fields of inquiry – especially art and entertainment. One powerful example is the “mystery play” or the plays that showed the changing portrayal of Christ as a human being. In the past, the Catholic Church was very strict about the interpretation of Scripture, and only the pope could give his interpretation. Anyone who did not follow this interpretation would be severely punished. The Renaissance saw the spread of creativity into not just the secular but also spiritual arts. The Catholic Church began commissioning mystery plays in order to educate the public about the gospel and a Christ that was not harsh, silent, or cold. Mystery plays, including the “York Play of the Crucification,” were able to show the humanity of Christ in the form of comedy, character development, and the settings. The characters of the soldiers are used in the “York Play of the Crucification” to depict the humanity of Christ.
The play shows Christ being carried by four soldiers up the hill and crucified. To make them more relatable and universal, the four soldiers have not been named. This device allows the readers or viewers to identify with the soldiers and their total disregard for Christ. They show their disdain with statements like “Then we must be careful/ That our work is not hindered/ There’s no need for any other notes/ But let’s hasten him so that he can hang” (25-28). This line, spoken by the two soldiers at the start of the play, shows the audience that the soldiers are naive, as they do not know who they’re crucifying. The soldiers represent us all and show that we are blind to Christ’s atonement. In the “York Play of the Crucified”, the emphasis is placed on Christ’s sacrifice and how we should remember it, in a different way than in earlier plays. To portray Christ’s relationship better, the play was told by ordinary soldiers. He’s seen as a traitor worthy of being crucified. The audience can now see their relationship with Christ in a new light, one that is based on blessings, not debt or natural sin. Christ is shown to be both human and divine through the constant passiveness of Christ, the disdain for soldiers and their disregard. “Almighty God! My Father is free. Here to death, I oblige/ To save mankind, I must commit that sin. And sovereignly, I seek thee/ that they find me favor/ and that I may protect them from the fiend. The first lines spoken by Christ, they show His humility and forgiveness. These lines, when mixed with the complaints from the soldiers, cause the audience to feel painful emotions. Christ’s humanness is also shown through the physical inflictions of his body. “Yea, both sinews and veins are asunder” (147). This line illustrates how the soldier concentrates on Christ’s sufferings, and on His human nature. This line shows the soldier’s focus on Christ’s humanity, his bodily suffering and reminds the audience of His humanity.
The comedy used in “The York Play of the Crucified” serves to highlight Christ’s humanity. The soldiers are ordinary men who are preoccupied by their job, which they consider to be menial. The play has a number of comedic lines, and a underlying sense of humor. Lines like this one are found when a soldier complains of the poor craftsmanship in the cross and nailings. The lines have a number of meanings. They offer a comic relief to an emotionally charged theme. On the other hand, they can be used to engage audiences. A humorous feel can help to attract people by offering a contrast between earlier interpretations Christ’s pain. It also contrasts Christ’s submissiveness with his humility. One of their most painful examples is when the soldier instructs the other to continue slapping Christ. The soldiers’ jokes, and their complete lack of respect, highlight the quietness and humanity of Christ. The comedy is set in a realistic way, which makes it easier to understand the soldiers. The play’s setting also highlights Christ’s humanity. The setting of the play is static, which allows for characters and messages to seem timeless. The audience can better relate to the soldiers’ experience by placing them in a static setting. In addition, it is significant that the focus of an audience has shifted from the soldiers to Christ. This is an appropriate conclusion, because it reminds audiences of their duty to remember Christ and his humanity.
The York Play of the Crucified represents the new Renaissance creativity. As Christ had been portrayed in literature and art in a harsh, cold light, the mystery plays that showed his humanity allowed people to feel Christ’s warmth and love in an engaging, new way. The York Play of the Crucified combines humour, plot and various character elements to bring out Christ’s humanity.
Works Cited
Reidhead, Julia, ed. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Vol. A. Norton (2012) explored New York City in depth. 440-47. Print.
