The Rejoysynge of the Devel

The word “devel” and its derivatives pop up repeatedly in the Parson’s Tale. It is not only a frequently used word in the tale, but probably the most frequently used noun in all the tales based purely on its repeated usage in the Parson’s Tale.
I thought it might be helpful to explore the medieval concept of Satan to provide a fuller context to its usage in this tale. And if my previous posts haven’t been obvious enough, I’m all about context.
Since Satan’s physical appearance is never discussed in the Bible, depictions of the devil and his characteristics have been the subject of considerable improvisation over time. During the Middle Ages, depictions of Satan were usually based on pagan traditions of horned gods such as Pan and Dionysus. In this way, the devil both embodied evil and chaos while avoiding being so sinister as to overshadow the medieval concept of “fear of God”.
A number of medieval Gnostic groups, such as the Cathars, identified Satan with the Old Testament God, asserting that the character of the Old Testament God was markedly different from that of the New Testament God, and was in some ways incompatible with the teachings of Christ. This idea obviously didn’t sit well with the Catholic Church
I think that the “devel” repeatedly referenced in the Parson’s Tale is in line with the medieval concept of Satan following pagan traditions. Though all of the sins referenced are serious, the way the “devel” is referenced as being amused or interested with them all suggests more of a mischievous and roguish manipulation of the human soul than an insidious and evil force. It would also be difficult for Satan to assume a truly polar opposite composition and power to God without diminishing God’s power through this juxtaposition. If Satan were truly as powerful as God then there would be little incentive to avoiding the seven deadly sins in favor of the Parson’s seven virtues. But I am not a theologian.
I think the bottom line is that we see the word “devel” so much because the Parson is looking to repeatedly present this concept of sin and evil and define its parameters. In this way, the “devel” we know is less fearsome than the God we do not.