The York Corpus Christi Play: The Crucifixion

In The York Corpus Christi Play: The Crucifixion, Jesus speaks only two times in the three-hundred lines. The rest of the dialogue is between the four soldiers who are attempting to crucify him. There is an odd dark humor among the soldiers while they are crucifying Jesus. More interesting, however, is Jesus’ response to his crucifixion. The first time he speaks his words are directed at God only. The second time he speaks, the first half of his text is directed at man, while he still ends with a prayer to God. The first of his monologues, when looked at alone, can be seen as selfless. However, upon rereading, his words seem more self-involved the second time around. Even in the next play in York’s series Jesus’ first focus is himself. While …show more content…
He goes on to complain that their only concern is God himself, and if all they can think about is Him, they are unable to pay attention to Jesus in the way he so needs. And third, he reminds them that he has suffered to free them. There is no need for him to tell them this, he could humbly free them from Hell and let them believe whatever they so desired about how it happened. Instead, he needs to call attention to himself again and repeat his good-doings. Finally, he feels the need to mention the pain and suffering he endured and force them to feel the pain of their own sins (even after they have endured Hell for them already).
Jesus’ feigned selflessness is revealed for what it is as his death draws nearer. He is no longer able to keep up his heroic act and cries out for help one last time. All he wanted was the recognition and fame that came with martyring himself. He realizes that nobody is going to save him as he had convinced everyone that he was sacrificing himself for them. After this realization he has to rise postmortem to draw attention to himself one last