Explication of “Piers Plowman” by William Langland ENG/306 April 9, 2012 Shannon Loerch Explication of “Piers Plowman” by William Langland In the 14th century William Langland penned a poem entitled “Piers Plowman”. He used 111 lines of metered rhythm to illustrate a man’s quest for a stereotypical Christian life. Classified as a dramatic poem the manner in which the author describes this quest invokes an imaginative fever in the mind of the reader. The language used requires extra effort on the part of the reader, yet the attempt produces intriguing thoughts and valued lessons.
The poem is thought to have once been extremely popular as there are still a few surviving manuscripts in keeping. As visions are described by the dreaming writer in an alliterative verse form, readers can feed of the text clues and imagine a journey for truth. The ins and outs of the Christian faith will continually be a topic of debate. This particular poem calls upon stereotypical Christian values that English society, of the time, was failing to abide by.
The style of writing and choice of word spelling in a manner of what is thought to be correct, illicit thoughts of an Irishman with strong accent speaking of a story he may have witnessed. The Christian connotation is strong throughout bringing the reader back to the meaning of eternal matters. The first 27 verses describe the hard working people, plowing land, tired and dirty, only kept motivated by their desire to succeed and please the Lord. Lines 18-25 specifically described the hard working man, the lack of play, and the obligation they feel to do so.
The Essay on Makes The Reader Poet Poem Lives
Of all the poems in the anthology, the one I liked the most was The Cathedral Builders, by John Ormond. I liked it because of its optimistic tone, the poets' use of descriptive language and lofty imagery. The poet has created a tone of optimism and pride, and the relationships between the men who built the Cathedral, their families and their fellow workers, invites you to envision their lives. In ...
The ensuing 30 lines describe how the common public views the working class as mere beggars. They are not acknowledged for their efforts but rather looked upon as a waste of space and worth. Unworthy of recognition from the common folk they are additionally thought to be overlooked by Christ as unworthy. Line 38 draws attention to another book of poem, The Holy Bible, and the words ascribed in it. As the final 50 plus lines play out the story comes full circle. Evidence of Christ’s love for all and His unabashed acceptance of all social classes are thrown in the face of those who proclaim to have always been worthy.
Line 102 again references The Bible and its proclamation regarding virtues. It is more than apparent that those who thought they held virtue were not precisely demonstrating it to all of God’s creatures. Proper alliteration of the words shows the accentual meter method used by the author and an irregular form of rhyme is used. While missing a common rhythm and rhyme to words this style of writing inserts a sort of explicit explanation with the closing of each line. It is matter of fact and to the point.
Full of metaphors and illustrations to describe the images in the author’s head, the suggestive writing provokes the inward imagination. The metered prose places those metaphors and illustrations in a perfect structure. The structure itself brings the storyline around and causes the reader to see the error of the common public’s way. References Ferguson, M. , Salter, M. J. , & Stallworthy, J. (Eds. ).
(2005).
The Norton anthology of poetry (5th ed. ).
New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.
