Demons have plagued people for centuries and 'Cathedral - A Mystery Play' is not the first time they have
appeared within popular culture. Demons have inspired many screen and television plays
ranging from 'Brimstone & Treacle' by Dennis Potter to William Friedkin's classic film
'The Exorcist' and the acclaimed 'Doctor Who'
story 'The Daemons'. Demons also regularly appeared in 15th Century Morality Plays often being banished from the
world by God. Despite Demons continuing to be an ever-present force with popular culture
it still remains unclear how possession occurs and what can be done to stop it happening.
This essay will offer a brief history of possession and the mysteries that surround it
until the present day.
The removal of evil spirits dates back well before the birth of Christ. Jesus
definitely was an exorcist. It is recalled in the book of Luke how Jesus exorcised a man
on the shore of Lake Galilee:
"Jesus said, 'What is your name?' And he said 'Legion'; for many demons had
entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. Now a large
herd of swine was feeding there on the hillside; and they begged him to let them enter
these. So he gave them leave. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine,
and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned."
Possession by demons still takes place today, although many people believe this has
more to do with personal demons than the workings of the Devil.
Usually people are freed by the influence of evil spirits by a saying of a simple
prayer or holding a simple religious service. Generally they must be convinced that their
home is not alive and evil. This may take time and in this art of persuasion where the
exorcist's talents lie.
This is demonstrated by 'Cathedral' within it's classic
plot.
Other religious enigmas include angels and stigmata.
Order
William Peter Blatty's 'The Exorcist (Screenplay)' Today!
