The Vision and Creed of Piers Ploughman, Volume 1

"The Vision and Creed of Piers Ploughman, Volume 1" by William Langland is a significant poem from the 1300s, that uses dreams to examine ideas about what's fair in society, what's right and wrong, and what it means to be human. A man who dreams becomes the main character entering a world full of characters representing all sorts of views. He sees the problems of the wealthy and the poor and the dishonesty of religious leaders, resulting in social that comes from selfishness, and dishonesty. A woman, representing the Holy Church, shows him the way, and focusing on what's true and important to living a good life. Piers Ploughman, the main character, appears as someone who represents people trying to improve society, leading to an overview of what's true, what's just, and what people should do for each other in their towns.