The York Crucifixion

            The point of The York Crucifixion was to provide a “modern” twist on the historical event of Christ’s passion. Modern in this sense would be defined as Medieval Europe, particularly England. This helps the audience at the time connect with the passion of Christ better than they would if they were just reading a historical account of it.

            The anonymous author managed to apply characteristics of the time period to the characters through their speech and probably their attire when the play was performed. Of particular interest to me was soldier one. He seemed to be the self-asserted leader of the phalanx. Soldier one brings with him a certain arrogance and satisfaction about crucifying Christ, whom is considered a slanderous villain. Throughout the narrative, he embodies this sort of arrogance by his insults toward Christ and through his unyielding demands to the other soldiers. Soldier one also seems to be fairly set in his sense of morality by believing that capital punishment is the only method of dealing with a criminal, which makes him seem ignorant and plebian. Plebian in the sense that soldier one seems to have few thoughts deeper than carrying out his duty; he is not an extraordinary character in any sense, which suits him well for the role of an executioner He has no mercy for Christ as the group prepares him for execution. The author portrays the soldiers’ actions as wrong and unjust in this way. He contrasts the actions of the soldiers by creating a tranquil and fatherly sort of character to represent Christ. Christ heroically takes the blame for soldiers’ sins, which starkly contrasts the unyielding demand for capital punishment and taunts from soldier one. The author makes soldier one seem ignorant and rash by contrasting him with Christ, and by victimizing Christ, which is congruous with the religious culture of Medieval England.

            I thought the first five lines of the play were effective in describing the ignorance and arrogance of solider one. He is very enthusiastic about doing the dirty work for his superiors, which emphasizes that point.

Soldier 1: Sir knights, take heed hither in hie:

This deed undree we may not draw;

Ye wot yourselves as well as I

How lords and leaders of our law

Haven given doom that this dote shall die.

Soldier 2: Sir, all their counsel well we know.

Since we are come to Calvary.

Soldier 3: We are all ready, lo,

That forward to fulfil.

Soldier 4: Let hear how we shall do,

And go we tite theretill.

As emphasized before, the first soldier seems to be the group’s leader. This is evident in the way that he addresses the other characters and they speak to him. Also, it is interesting to note that these four men seem to be somewhat excited to fulfil their duty, and crucify Christ. Throughout the passage and the entire play, they never consider the fact that he could be innocent. While that makes them obedient workers, it also makes them seem ignorant and plebian. This passage correctly portrays the characteristics of the first soldier, and allows causes the reader to take pity on Christ later in the play.