Samaritan Character Analysis in Piers Plowman

The Samaritan is one of the biblical characters that Will meets on the road to Jerusalem. The Samaritan immediately establishes himself as being empathetic. When Will and his new acquaintances, Faith and Hope, see a wounded man lying limp on the side of the road, Faith and Hope flee. The Samaritan, however, drops everything to help the wounded man. Later, when Will watches Jesus ride into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he notices that Jesus bears resemblance to the Samaritan.

Samaritan Character Timeline in Piers Plowman

The timeline below shows where the character Samaritan appears in Piers Plowman. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

As Hope, Faith, and Will walk along the road, they come upon a Samaritan, riding on a mule on his way from Jericho to Jerusalem, to see a jousting... (full context)

Touched by the Samaritan’s pity for the wounded man, Will catches up to the Samaritan and tells him about... (full context)

Social Hierarchy, Community, and Selfishness Theme Icon

Will asks the Samaritan about the Trinity, explaining what Faith and Hope have already taught him. The Samaritan affirms... (full context)

...sleeps until Palm Sunday. In his dream, he sees Jesus, who looks like both the Samaritan and Piers Plowman, riding barefoot on a mule’s back into town. The crowds sing joyfully... (full context)