The play “Creature” is focused on Margery Kempe who is the daughter of the mayor and the wife of John Kempe. Magery is a new mother and the owner of a highly profitable beer business. After child birth, Margery, a medieval Englishwoman, begins to see visions of the Devil and Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ appeared in a purple robe. During this time, religion is the majority of the talk. Most people have a hard time believing her; visions are rare and difficult to come by in 1401. These visions lead Margery wanting to become God’s servant.
Margery likes to show off, flirt, and dress up. Her faith is very showy, just like she is. Margery’s character changes throughout the play. She has a strong faith and wants to devote herself fully to God but she also calls attention to herself by wearing white. Wearing white could be very dangerous for her during this time when heresy, witchcraft and possessing an English Bible can get you burned at stake.
The first appearance of a demon was right after Margery gave birth. Asmodeus visited Margery. Asmodeus appeared to be a priest but Margery saw differently. Asmodeus says to Margery “[i]’m going to open my mouth very wide and then you look in there. I think you’ll be quite surprised by what you see” (9). After sudden darkness, John, Margery’s husband, asked the nurse “[w]hat the hell is that? Some kind of animal” (9)? The nurse races in and responds “[i]t’s your wife, she says there’s a devil in her room and he’s trying to swallow her” (9).
Margery request that John and the nurse find her a new pries
t. After searching, they find Father Thomas. Father Thomas knows how best to know and love God. He counsels and help Margery find her way. Margery wanted to thank Father Thomas for coming to her in a time of need but she had been so busy until now. Father Thomas says to Margery “I know, I hear that you pray- loudly- at St. Margaret’s church from early morning well into the evening-” (23). Margery begins to tell him that she is God’s servant now and that she is going to become a saint. Father Thomas tells Margery that he does not believe that is what God is asking us to strive to become saints.
Throughout the play “Creature,” Margery’s character changes as well as the tone. Margery has visions of the Devil and Jesus Christ. She strives to be a saint but wears white when she is not a virgin. She unnecessarily calls attention to herself. Her husband, John, wants love and prosperity. Religion is the majority of the talk during this time period. Most people had a hard time believing her; visions were rare and difficult to come by in 1401. These visions led to Margery wanting to become God’s servant.
Worked Cited
Schreck, Heidi. Creature. Samuel French, 2011.
Makayla Ward 