The York Crucifixion

Liliana Casso

The York Crucifixion bases its plot around its characters, and through them, show how routine can cause blatant disregard for the reasoning behind day-to-day tasks. While each solider is aware of the physical work they are completing, they manage to forget that their job is to crucify Jesus. The author highlights their mindless actions to emphasize the importance of performing every duty with purpose.

While Jesus only voices his opinion twice throughout the entirety of the play, he is able to completely convey his values in each passage. Instead of wishing hatred upon the soldiers for the work that they are doing, he prays that God forgive them because they are not aware of their actions. The differences in these characters demonstrate the extremities in the play as a whole. Jesus’s attitude seizes to change negatively upon hearing how they will torture him. The author uses the soldiers to display one extreme side of mercy. In analyzing the soldiers in contrast to Jesus, they appear to grow even more annoyed when they realize that their efforts to generate a painful death for their victim does not phase him, while Jesus simply continues to pray for their wellbeing.

All men that walk by way or street,

Take tent ye shall no travail tine;

Behold my head, my hands, my feet,

And fully feel now ere ye fine,

If any mourning may be meet,

Or mischief measured unto mine.

My Father, that all bales may beet,

Forgive these men that do me pine.

What they work wot they nought;

Therefore, my Father, I crave,

Let never their sins be sought,

But see their souls to save.

At the end of the play, Jesus prays again to God, asking that he save the soldier’s souls because they are completely unaware of the work they are attempting to accomplish. Jesus continues to speak to God, while the soldiers who are doing the work of God entirely disregard the relationship between the two. This passage clearly demonstrates Jesus’s values, which are the importance of bettering others and helping them develop a greater outlook on their tasks. Simultaneously, it reflects the negative attitudes of each soldier and their lack of character development. The author constructs their ignorance in contrast with Jesus’s forgiveness to produce somewhat of a moral lesson. Thoughtless actions and neglecting of the aftermath is no way to live; one must constantly be mindful and informed of their actions to prevent unwanted situations.