The York Crucifixion

Marta Case

The York Crucifixion

            The York Crucifixion is a play that shows that by falling into a routine and mindlessly performing tasks, one can fail to realize the gravity of the job he is completing. The four soldiers in the play have the responsibility of crucifying Jesus. Because they understand they have a job to do, they do not waste time analyzing their actions or the gravity of their situation. The significance of their task is lost when they choose to ignore any emotional connection and instead carry out their assignment as if it is just another job.

            These four soldiers are separate in a sense, but truly one could combine them into one character since they all seem to have the same attitude. Not once do any of the soldiers make a conscious decision to differentiate themselves from one another. Much like the chorus of Greek theater, the soldiers can be seen as one. With the only other character in the play being Jesus, who merely speaks twice, focus stays mainly on the soldiers for the duration of the play. The soldiers’ values do not seem to be a critical aspect in their lives due to the fact that throughout the process of crucifying Jesus they continue to talk as though everything is normal and it is just another day. The men seem to be somewhat nervous about completing their job, which shows they have a strong value of dedication and persistence; but with this hard working mentality comes a disregard for the severity of the task they are executing. It is not so much that the men have a vindictive attitude towards the man that they are essentially killing, but some recognition of the choices they are making would show that they are not just mindlessly performing their job. The author of this play wanted to show the audience that it is not okay to simply perform tasks and remove ourselves from them. Instead, we must consciously realize what we are doing and the consequences of our actions and then decide if we want to continue. Without this recognition, we become zombies to a world that desperately needs people who care and realize that they have potential to make decisions that help not only ourselves but also others.

            Lines 85 – 95 help the audience understand the character of the four soldiers and their attitude towards their assignment:

4 Soldier: His limbs on length then shall I lead,

            And even unto the bore them bring.

1 Soldier: Unto his head I shall take heed,

            And with my hand help him to hang.

2 Soldier: Now since we four shall do this deed,

            And meddle with this unthrifty thing,

            Let no man spare for special speed,

            Till that we have made ending.

2 Soldier: This forward may not fail;

            Now we are right arrayed.

4 Soldier: This boy here in our bail

            Shall bide full bitter braid.

            These lines show that the men continue to talk like they normally would even though they are about to crucify Jesus. They continue to do their job without pausing to think about the significance of their actions. These men are not necessarily bad men; they are just lost in a routine.