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University of Nevada, Reno
M anifestations of Diminishment in the Traditional Terror of the
Devil and Hell in Old and Middle English Literature
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
English
by
Suzanne Christensen Crase
Dr. Philip Boardman, Dissertation Advisor
December 2002
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UMI Number 3090875
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I \ l \ i K M 1 N»
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
M l \ l V \ l >.\
We recommend that the dissertation
prepared under our supervision by
SUZANNE CHRISTENSEN CHASE
entitled
Manifestations of Diminishmant in the Traditional Terror
of the Devil and Hell in Old and Middle English Literature
be accepted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Phj/Llip C. Boardman, Ph.D., Advisor
A
Dennis J. Cronan, Ph.D., Committee Member
Eric Rasmussen, Ph.D., Committee Member
Frank Tobin, Ph.D., Committee Member
JJL c.
TJ JJoohhnn CC.. KKeell^Lyy,, Ph.D., At-Large Member
A*.
Marsha H. Read, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Graduate School
December 2002
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Manifestations of Diminishment in the Traditional Terror of the Devil and
Hell in Old and Middle English Literature
Abstract
The medieval period is renowned for its versatile but often
terrifying devil and horrific hell. Nevertheless, Old and Middle English
literature betray compelling evidence that both the devil and hell wane in
specific and discernible ways. Medieval English literature sponsors a
conscious curtailment of these charismatic figures, resulting in the
paradox that the very age which shaped a terrifying devil and ruthless
hell begins to unravel the web of horror it created.
Chapter One shows that the diminishment of hell is preceded by
an unparalleled upsurge in the cruelty of hell’s torments in twelfth- and
thirteenth-century Middle English literature. The Old English hell’s
grandeur and strong sense of place are lost upon early Middle English
writers who downplay hell’s geographical paradigm in favor of describing
exceedingly grisly tortures not seen in Old English writing.
Chapter Two asserts that hell’s overly brutal torments subside in
fourteenth- and fifteenth-century Middle English literature as writers use
rhetorical devices and non-physical torments to soften hell's program of
pain. The exempla also compromise hell's identity as the ultimate nexus
of Christian punishment in the earth’s core, as devils move tailored
penalties from hell to the sinner’s doorstep on earth.
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Chapter Three reveals that Old and early Middle English literature
present the devil and demons as bodily beings. But after Church
doctrine changed the devil’s nature from material to immaterial,
fourteenth- and fifteenth-century writers neglect the devil and
descriptions of his person. Because his terror lay in his horrid physical
appearance, the devil's palpable ability to terrify diminishes in literature
that avoids descriptions of his body.
Chapter Four discusses the mystery plays where the devil
retrieves his body, but not his terror. While Christian tradition conceived
Lucifer’s fall into devilry, medieval English dramatists devised the devil’s
fall into humanity. This humanized devil is stripped of his supernatural
capacity to frighten; hence, the devil’s traditional nature and terror
diminish.
Medieval English literature and drama, though fond of the devil
and hell, nevertheless inaugurated their demise by chipping away at the
traditional notions of a ferocious devil of horrid aspect and fiery hell in
earth’s core.
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Acknowledgements
Thanks go to my parents who taught me the importance of going to
college. Special thanks go to my husband. Randy, who must have seen
me squander time and work inefficiently, but who steadfastly supported
me anyway.
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iv
Contents
Introduction 1
Chapter One: Hell’s Reconfiguration in Early 14
Middle English Literature
Chapter Two: The Dwindling of Hell’s Cruelty in 60
Later Middle English Literature
Chapter Three: Diminution of the Devil’s Body in 107
Middle English Literature
Chapter Four: The Humanization of the Devil’s Body 144
in the Middle English Mystery Plays
Conclusion 185
Works Consulted 199
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V
Figures
Devil’s Appearances in Old and Middle Follows page 134
English Saints’ Lives
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