The CrucifixionCrucifixio Christi

Monica Huang

Jennifer Li

Carol Lin

Dominique Yu

Plot Summary (Carol)• the four soldiers show the haste to carry out the task of

hanging Jesus assigned by authority • they furthermore assert the honor of this job and the right

to crucify Jesus as a criminal with bewitching words • their concentration and preparation to deal with Jesus the

traitor/faker • the mention of fasten Jesus on the cross and the intention

to torture him • Jesus speaks out the purpose of his crucifixion and prays

for mankind’s safety and welfare • They start to swear by the Devil and mock Jesus’ saint-

like behavior and sayings

• They begin to fasten Jesus the Traitor to the cross and compete with each other concerning the task

• the details of their fastening and the intention to torture Jesus

• the details of the cruel nailing and their arrangement at the four ends of the cross

• the continuous act of stretching Jesus to the cross, head and toe and to attach him fully to the cross by nailing

• the fastening of his hands and feet and some tricks to increase Jesus’ suffering

• they try to use rope to pull Jesus from the four sides and hit him

• they are satisfied with their effective torturing and the pain Jesus deserves as an acting saint, preparing to hang him high up

• they prepare to lift the cross and make it stand in a hole

• the hardship of this job makes them doubt and think about getting assistants but then decide to stick to the original plan

• they lift the cross together but experience some unbearable consequences of physical laboring

• the failure of lifting and therefore they lay the cross down, trying to cheer themselves up again by confirming their strength

• they blame their failure on Jesus’ tricks and then try again, cursing Jesus for having extra weight

• purposely they let the cross fall in order to torture Jesus and raised it again, enjoying their ultimate torturing

• they try to fix the cross in the hole stably by using hammer and wedges

• they achieve the purpose and hanging Jesus firmly but experience the consequences again

• Jesus asks forgiveness for the ignorant mankind and the salvation of their souls

• They mock Jesus’ talking again and ironically points out Jesus’ resurrection

• the continuous mockery of Jesus’ seeming powerlessness at that moment and propose to go away

• the 1st soldier reminds them of one last thing to do, which is to grab Jesus’ coat but then asserts it to himself; the rest of the soldiers want to leave as fast as possible

• http://www.wwnorton.com/nael/noa/welcom.htm

Crucifixion (Dominique)• ** No crucifixion and redemption,

there is no Christianity. • Religious purpose: presentation of Jesus’

story has educational function under festival occasion.

• Dramatic contrast: Jesus’ sacrifice shows the contrast with man’s ignorance and wickedness.

soldier’s mockery (line 186-7) shows Jesus’ mercy.

• Influence of Jesus’ suffering: though soldiers are displayed with cruel attitude, Jesus’ power also overwhelms them.

The Cruelty of the Soldiers(Monica)

• The soldiers want to finish their task in haste so they very much concentrate on their work.

• The process of nailing Christ is very detailed.

• The soldiers compete with each other to make their work more efficient.

• The soldiers are concerned with their tools and with estimating their physical effort.

The Cruelty of the Soldiers

• They treat Christ inhumanly.

• The first soldier is very determined to do his work and commands others like a leader.

• Their speech is very short.

York cycle of mystery plays (Jennifer)

A. History• 1.      1376 A.D --- earliest pageant• 2.      1399 A.D --- biblical plays• 3.      1415 A.D --- craft guilds• 4.      1569 A.D --- an endB. Staging• 1.      In medieval period• a.       Stage• b.      Place• c.       Time

• 2.      The Toronto performance• a.       Stage• b.      Place • c.       Time• C. Meaning 1. In medieval period• a.       Religious• b.      Political• c.       Economic• d.      Affective Piety• 2. The Toronto performance• a.       Acculturation• b.      Artistic