William Langland (ca 1330 –1400)

Piers Plowman (The Visions Concerning Piers the Plowman)

An allegorical poem in the genre of the dream vision, a major monument of medieval didactic poetry.

Survives in a large number of manuscripts – clear evidence of its popularity with the medieval readers.

Three widely varying versions: A, B, and C-texts

The A-text - 2,567 lines – about 1367-70

The B-text – (more than 7,000 lines) – about 1377-79, an extension of the A-text

The C-text (the same length) – about 1385-6 – a substantial reversion of B.

Two parts: The VISIO and The VITA. The Visio: the Prologue and the first 7-10 Passus, the first two visions of the narrator. Comprises the pilgrimage in search of Truth.

The Vita: the lives of allegoric figures Dowel, Do bet and Do best.

The Contents

Vision One: While wandering on the Malvern Hills, the narrator (who, it transpires later, is called Will) falls asleep and has a vision, ‘a fair field full of folk’ between the Tower of Truth and the Dungeon of Evil. The field is a collective image of mankind, ‘alle manner of men’, from the king to a beggar. Through a series of visions this generalized picture gradually becomes richer and more concrete. The author shows that Evil has found its way into all social groups. This picture becomes a critical portrait of contemporary society. The greatest sin of all is avarice. One of the central images is Lady Meed, an allegory for bribery. She is opposed to Lady Holy Church, the author’s ideal of virtue.

Vision Two follows an established sequence of events: 1) a sermon 2) a confession 3) a pilgrimage and 4) pardon

1)The preacher (an allegoric figure of Reason) addresses his audience preaching love (as God’s law) and labour. Only those who work hard can hope to find salvation. Faith is too be active and creative.

2) Seven Deadly Sins go to a confession. They are both allegoric and true to lfe, very recognizable images.

3) The central episode of the Visio. The penitent crowd wants to go in search of St. Truth, but no one knows where to seek him. The first appearance of Piers Plowman. He tells them how to find Truth – his master. In order to find Truth one must plough and seed a field. Reflects Langland’s democratic views – a humble plowman is the only person who lives in accordance with the percepts of Truth.

4) Truth sends Piers a paper pardon, but a priest questions its validity. The noise awakens the dreamer. End of the Visio part.

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