The Vision of Piers the Plowman (Warren translation)
William Langland’s Vision of Piers the Plowman is one of the Early English poems that may well appeal to many other readers than the professed student of literature. It will ever be attractive to those who care for a vivid account of certain phases of life in England at one of the important periods of her social history ; but, beyond this, Langland's work touches some of the keenest interests of our own day. In its picture of the life of the labourer, and its protest against the oppression of the poor by the rich and powerful, it connects itself with that impelling desire for social reform which, in many and various ways, is now striving to express itself, not only in England, but all over Europe. Again, the plain moral purpose of the poem ---to uphold the value of the good life, and the evil of its opposite -- links it somewhat to the modem interest in ethics, while the realistic treatment of certain portions of its subject matter may commend it to the prevailing taste of the day in literature. Moreover, the deep humanity and living earnestness of Langland's work cannot fail to be felt by every reader. (from the Introduction by Kate. M. Warren)
Ms. Warren translates the poem's Prologue and first Vision from Middle English into modern English prose, while retaining the original's freshness, vigor, and alliterative charm.
- Summary by Patrick Randall
Genre(s): Single author, Narratives
Language: English
Keyword(s): middle ages (37), middle english (8), medieval poetry (2), christian allegory (1)
Section | Chapter | Reader | Time |
---|---|---|---|
Play 00 | Preface | Patrick Randall |
00:10:19 |
Play 01 | Introduction Part One | Patrick Randall |
00:27:08 |
Play 02 | Introduction Part Two | Patrick Randall |
00:28:22 |
Play 03 | Prologue | Patrick Randall |
00:20:11 |
Play 04 | Passus I | Patrick Randall |
00:18:34 |
Play 05 | Passus II | Patrick Randall |
00:20:34 |
Play 06 | Passus III | Patrick Randall |
00:29:44 |
Play 07 | Passus IV | Patrick Randall |
00:16:32 |
Play 08 | Passus V Part One | Patrick Randall |
00:26:56 |
Play 09 | Passus V Part Two | Patrick Randall |
00:31:16 |
Play 10 | Passus VI | Patrick Randall |
00:27:27 |
Play 11 | Passus VII | Patrick Randall |
00:20:45 |