Piers Plowman

Summary

Piers Plowman, William Langland’s visionary medieval work about one man’s quest for the true Christian life, is an allegorical journey through dream visions and visions within dreams. During the course of his journey, the narrator (William Langland) meets Piers Plowman, who gradually reveals himself to be the son of God. Through Piers, William learns of the virtues in poverty, the temptations of wealth, and of the perfect society that is to come under the rule of Piers Plowman. Each vision and conversation is presented in buoyant, lyrical, alliterative verse that conveys the thoughts and rejoicings of 14th-century England, and comes alive in A.V.C. Schmidt’s contemporary translation of the ‘B’ text.