Moral and medical ‘prescriptions’ in a fifteenth-century Sacrament play

Geldenhuys, KatharineRaftery, Margaret Mary2017-09-062017-09-062003Geldenhuys, K., & Raftery, M. M. (2003). Moral and medical 'prescriptions' in a fifteenth-century Sacrament play. Acta Academica, 35(2), 81-102.0587-2405 (print)2415-0479 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/11660/6786English: The purpose of this article is to investigate the manner in which Christ, perceived as present in the eucharistic host, is portrayed as the Suffering Physician in the “quack doctor” scene in the Croxton Play of the Sacrament. The dramatist’s specific linguistic choices in this scene appear to have been made in an attempt to create images of and associations with the Passion and other perceived forms of healing. The many references to medicinal plants, which are particularly significant in relation to the medieval idea of Christ’s role as the spiritual or moral Physician of humanity are considered in detail.Afrikaans: Hierdie artikel ondersoek die manier waarop Christus, wat deur middel van transubstansiasie as teenwoordig in die Nagmaal beskou word, in die “kwaksalwer”-toneel van die Play of the Sacrament van Croxton in Engeland, as die Lydende Geneesheer voorgestel word. Dit blyk dat die dramaturg spesifieke taalkundige keuses in hierdie toneel gedoen het om beelde van die Passie en ander vorms van genesing, asook assosiasies daarmee, te skep. Die veelvuldige verwysings na geneeskragtige plante is besonder betekenisvol in die lig van die middeleeuse konsep van Christus as die geestelike of sedelike Geneesheer van die mensdom word ondersoek.enMedieval literaturePlay of the SacramentMoral and medical ‘prescriptions’ in a fifteenth-century Sacrament playArticleUniversity of the Free State