The Artless Devil in The Book of Margery Kempe

This article argues that the devil's appearance in chapter 59 of The Book of Margery Kempe is a creative adaptation of Legenda aurea hagiographies in which a devil takes on the guise of a woman to seduce male saints. Like a male saint, Kempe is tempted with a sexual spectacle, but like a female saint, she is threatened with rape. This portrays the devil as an ineffectual tempter. In this way, the Book emulates episodes in the vitae of St. Bridget of Sweden and Marie d'Oignes in which the holy women outwit demonic trickery. By portraying the devil as an artless seducer, chapter 59 supplements methods of self-discernment outlined by Julian of Norwich in chapter 18 of the Book. This is because Julian's previous advice that Kempe will be able to tell God's visions from the devil's fails to reassure her as God shows her visions of damnation.