Piers Plowman

by

William Langland

Lecher Character Analysis

Lecher is one of the Seven Deadly Sins who confesses to Repentance. His confession is the shortest of the seven, comprised of four lines. Even though lechery means lust, Lecher asks for mercy and promises to only drink when he eats duck and only eat once on Saturdays. Lecher’s promise is incongruent with his actual sin, suggesting that he has no actual intentions of reeling in his lust.
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Lecher Character Timeline in Piers Plowman

The timeline below shows where the character Lecher appears in Piers Plowman. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Passus V
Love Theme Icon
Corruption Theme Icon
Penance and Repentance Theme Icon
...of the Seven Deadly Sins come forward to repent. Parnel Proud-Heart confesses first, followed by Lecher, and then Envy, who confesses to living “loveless like a loathsome dog.” Envy is distraught... (full context)
Passus XX
Corruption Theme Icon
Penance and Repentance Theme Icon
Despite the momentary peace, Fortune, Lechery, Covetousness, and Simony resume their attack on Conscience and Unity. Simony talks the pope into... (full context)