Melanie's Paper

Melanie Smith
15 January 2008
Dr. Nancy Atkinson
EN 620

Figurative Language in Piers Plowman
The prologue of Piers Plowman instantly introduces the reader into a world that is filled with figurative language. The main character, Plowman, opens the prologue with a simile and the figurative language continues throughout the first section of the poem. This complex poem discusses the ideas of innocence, a basic foundation of right and wrong, and possible corruption in the highest ranks.
“In a somer seson whan soft was the sonne/I shope me in shroudes as I a shepe were…” (Prologue 1-2). These lines begin the prologue, instantly causing a flurry of thoughts to enter the reader’s mind. First, the obvious comes to mind. The plowman needs to layer his clothing in order to keep warm during a time when the summer months did not provide enough heat. The layering of the clothing will keep the plowman warm just as a sheep’s wool keeps it warm. However, one has to wonder at the meaning of the comparison. Many times a sheep is thought to be an innocent creature, completely void of corruption and sin. Perhaps Langland is implying that before the plowman’s slumber he is an innocent creature who has not yet been exposed to the evils of the world, but as he dreams Holy Church begins to make him aware he is made aware of the possible corruptions and sins that he may soon face.
“And thane cam Kynde Wytte, and clerkes he made/For to conseille the kyng and the comune save” (114-115). Kind Wit is personified in the poem and given a sort of comforting yet intelligent aurapersonality. According to the poem each person is born with wit or a basic intelligence. This is basically the foundation for each human being. Kind Wit allows each person to know, without being taught, the difference between right and wrong, how to take care of themselves, and how to take care of others. Building on the idea that Kind Wit is the basic foundation of each human, Plowman goes on to say that it created clerks. The clerks are the intellectuals responsible for making the ultimate decisions in regards to counseling the king and keeping society safe. “The kyng and knyghthode and clergye bothe/Casten that the comune shulde [here communes]/fynde” (116-118). Assisting Kind Wit, the king, clergy, and knights decide the common people of society should be able to supply food for themselves. Providing oneself with food goes back to the basic intelligence that a person is born with, the basic foundation for survival that is provided by “Kind Wit”.
Deeper into the prologue the reader stumbles upon a more complex piece of figurative language, an extended metaphor.
“With that ran there a route of ratones at ones,
And smale mys with hem, mo then a thousande,
Comen to a conseille for here comune profit;
For a cat of a courte cam whan hym liked
And overlepe hem lyghtlich and laughter hem at his wille,
And pleyde with hem perilouslych, and possed aboute” (146-151).
In this metaphor the cat represents the king, the rabble of rats are the king’s men (such as knights and clergy), and the mice represent the common people of the kingdom. The king has been given ultimate authority over all people who expect him to do God’s will. It seems as though no one questions his authority until the lunatic speaks up and tells the king, “Crist kepe the, sire Kyng, and thi kyngriche/ And lene the lede thi londe so Leute the lovye/ And for thi rightful rewlyng be rewarded in Hevene”(126-128) “Si jus nudatur, nudo de jure metatur” (137). The king will be rewarded on the basis of how he uses his power and how he treats his people. The king is the great, powerful cat that can pounce on a rat or mouse at any given time and there is nothing the vermin can do about it. If the king decides to use his power for good, the commons will prosper; nevertheless, if he decides to use it for evil the commons can do nothing but suffer. It is interesting that the lunatic is the character that speaks the truth in this section of the prologue. However, no one listens to what he says until the angel comes down and reinforces his declaration. “O, qui jura, Regis, Chrisi specialia regi. Hoc quod aga melius Justus es esto pius” (133-134). The angel reinforcing the lunatic’s words stresses that whatever actions the king takes he will reap the just rewards. Although this is written in a very serious tone, the same type of thing is seen later on Shakespeare’s works when he uses the jesters and fools to speak the truth even though everyone laughs at them and disregards their words.
One has to marvel at the truths that are found in Piers Plowman. It is scary to imagine that one man can be given complete control over so many people and expected to always do the right thing no matter what the consequences are. Anyone in that position is set up for failure from the very beginning. It raises an important question. Can any one person resist all the temptations in the world for the greater good of his kingdom, country, or society? It is very doubtful.







Works Cited
Langland, William. Piers Plowman. New York: Norton & Company, 2006.