THE SECOND SHEPHERDS PLAY: CRITICISM AND MESSAGES

The second shepherds play is a good satire of medieval times in general. This satirical function is applied in the play through the characters. As the play starts and proceeds, we are introduced to our shepherds one by one and each one of them, provides us a reflection of the different problems of that time through monologues. Our humble shepherds, depict us the medieval life with their entrances. Coll, as being the oldest member of the crew, complains about the cold and rainy weather at first. Then he passes on to the working conditions and provide us a general critique of the feudal structure by mentioning heavy taxation and the enormous inequality between the landowner and the workers. Gib, the middle aged shepherd, expresses his ideas about his wife. He likens his wife to some unpleasant things like thistle and bristle and advocates that the freedom of the men is limited by marriage, thus giving us a criticism of the marriage institution. Daw, like Coll, puts the emphasis on the social structure and depicts himself as a victim of the class struggle. The implication of his hunger and poverty while his lords belly is filled is to show the contrast between the two classes. The Wakefield Masters choice of characters from the lower class is very compatible with the aim of the play. The daily life and feudal systems cruelty are expressed in a reliable way through the voices of the ones who suffer from the system and carry the burden of it.