ABSTRACT
Transgressive language in both medieval drama and medieval society may be defined as language which was subject to constraint but nevertheless in some cases exceeded the limits of that constraint. This chapter sets out the social constraints on language, as these are revealed by a number of crucial medieval sermons and laws, in order to define the social significance of language. By comparing the condemnation of transgressive language in the sermons and laws with the punishments meted out for its misuse, and with the use of language in drama, the chapter will reveal that language used in drama differs from similar language used in society in the responses it produces.
