miracle de la femme que notre dame garda d'être brûlée

     This play is a part of a collection of Miracles de Notre Dame which tells of the Virgin Mary interceding to save humans. This particular play tells the story of a woman who kills her son in law, and repents after the crime is discovered. Rather than being burned at the stake, the Virgin Mary hears her prayers and intercedes. To me, this play is radical in that it argues that human law and judgment will always be superseded by God's law. This is obvious to any Christian theologian, but in this case it takes the radical standpoint that a murderer should go free, or at least be sent to a convent, upon a heartfelt repentance. In a period where heretics were condemned to death, this system of justice seems to be incredibly generous. The characters are deep and their emotions are poignant. Without the religious overtone, this could be a simple play about a family in a tragic situation.