The Crucifixion Crucifixio Christi

1. The CrucifixionCrucifixio Christi Monica Huang Jennifer Li Carol Lin Dominique Yu

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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 end B. Staging • 1.In medieval period • a.Stage • b.Place • c.Time

10. 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