The Law of Man and the Peace of God: Judicial Process as Satiric Theme in the Wakefield Mactacio Abel

Abstract

THE lively humor and dramatic boldness of Wakefield Mactacio Abel distinguish it from other medieval treatments of biblical story and induce critics either to ascribe it to Wakefield Master or to doubt that its sustained comic action can support significant dramatic statement. When play's definite allusions are established, however, its serious implications become striking. Scenes like Cain's outrageous perversion of obligation to tithe take on meaning which at least more educated members of original audience must have perceived.1 The play's artistic integrity is even more apparent, I believe, in its use of less recondite allusions to drive home essential meaning in perplexing last quarter of play, in moments that otherwise seem purposeless foolery: when Cain, having slain Abel, tries to escape detection and, nevertheless challenged and cursed by God, summons Pikeharnes to help him dispose of body. This part of play (lines 330-470) is certainly lively drama; but in light of its allusions to widely resented abuses of judicial process it appears as well to integrate pointed satire skillfully into play's overall thematic movement. These scenes strongly criticize fifteenth-century England by associating aspects of its administration of criminal justice with ethos of Cain's City of Man. Further, these scenes use familiar processes of law to point out irony of Cain's damnation. His concern for king's peace calls to mind divine peace from which he is perpetually removed. And the special grace of king, a phrase which figures in legal documents to which Cain alludes, points out irony of Cain's despair, which cuts him off from greater Grace sufficient to redeem even him. The play's most striking reference to medieval English judicial process occurs in Cain's efforts to persuade Pikeharnes to aid in disposing of Abel's body (lines 385-439). Pikeharnes, no simpleton, reacts to confession of murder by formally renouncing Cain's service: Yey, bot for ferde of grevance, / Here I forsake (402 f.). He must realize that to assist Cain would make him an accessory after fact who, under law since 1166, would be punishable to same degree as convicted principal, unless he could successfully plead coercion by his master.2 But Pikeharnes' next comment shows that his scruples are not perfect. He uses plural pronouns which suggest his cooperation; and, more important, he