William Langland and Pierse Plowman: Review about Social Criticism in Medieval Literature

William Langland (ca. 1330-1400)

William Langland (ca. 1330-1400) was a medieval English poet best known for his allegorical masterpiece, Piers Plowman. There is a little about his background life, Langland have been raised in England about the year 1330, in the regions of Shropshire or Worcestershire. Considering his common background and having little formal education, his writing and speaking skills shows his deep knowledge of literature and theology.

Piers Plowman is a long narrative poem using West Midlands dialect of English that follows the main character, Will, on his spiritual journey for truth and redemption through the form of a dream vision. The work is known for its incisive critique of various domains such as the church and society, in addition to its deft application of symbolism and allegory.

Langland is tackles moral and spiritual themes using a visceral storytelling style, reflecting the social and religious tensions in 14th century England. Piers Plowman became an important part of the English literary tradition and provided a deep insight into the lives and beliefs of medieval society.

Piers Plowman's Review

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Introduction

William Langland's Piers Plowman is among the most well-known pieces of literature from the fourteenth century. This allegorical poem provides an in-depth analysis of the culture and spirituality of the era. Known for its incredible length and complexity of allegory, Piers Plowman provides a compelling picture of the spiritual journey of a man named Will.

Language and Style Analysis

The language Langland uses in Piers Plowman is Middle English, which was quite common at the time. However, Langland has a distinctive style that utilizes the technique of "alliterative verse." This means that he uses patterns of consonant sounds. This means that he uses patterns of consonant sounds at the beginning of words to create a cohesive and musical rhythm. For example, phrases like "blissful beaute" or "great and glorious" show the use of this technique that brings the poem to life with distinctive, repetitive sounds.

Langland also had a special way of choosing words that gave the poem an allegorical and symbolic feel. He often used language that was direct yet loaded with meaning, creating deep layers of meaning without the need to use overly complex vocabulary. This helped readers of the time to understand moral and spiritual messages more easily.

Structure and Form Analysis

Piers Plowman consists of three major sections known as "visions". This structure helps divide the poem into more digestible segments and provides a clear rhythm. The poem is written in the form of an allegory, where Will's journey describes a spiritual and moral quest. This structure not only helps in narration but also emphasizes the spiritual journey that the main character is on.

The poem is long and contains more than 7,000 lines, so Langland had to carefully organize the narrative and characters to maintain consistency. The techniques used to link the various parts of the story and characters show Langland's skill in crafting a highly complex yet coherent poem.

Interpretation of Theme and Meaning

The main theme in Piers Plowman is the spiritual journey and the quest for truth and salvation. Through Will's journey, Langland explores various aspects of human life, including corruption in the church, social justice, and personal virtue. Piers, as the central character, represents the Christian ideal and a simple farmer who possesses higher virtues than the corrupt church leaders.

The poem also provides a sharp social critique, depicting the rampant injustice and corruption of the time. Langland uses allegory to show the need for reform and warns the reader of the dangers of living a life that does not conform to Christian teachings.

Connections to the Broader Context

During a period of political and social unrest, as well as conflicts between the people and the church, Piers Plowman emerged. Several social issues at the time, such as discontent with church authority and social injustice, are reflected in this work. By using allegory, Langland not only provides criticism but also offers spiritual and moral solutions for readers.

The work also contributed to the development of English literature, especially in terms of language use and poetic form. The "alliterative verse" technique Langland used influenced subsequent writers and helped shape the tradition of English poetry.

Conclusion

Overall, Piers Plowman is a highly influential and relevant work. With his distinctive use of Middle English language and creative poetic techniques, Langland manages to convey a profound moral message and social critique. The work is not only important in the context of English literary history but also as a mirror of the challenges and questions faced by 14th century society. Piers Plowman remains an outstanding example of allegorical poetry and social criticism that is relevant today.

Additionally, Langland is known for using more ordinary Middle English, which enabled many readers of his era to easily understand his writing. Although there is not much personal information about Langland, his work has left a huge impact on the history of English literature, especially in terms of how allegorical poetry and social criticism developed.