What thoughts go through a condemned person's mind as they are crucified for their execution? Does the pain overwhelm all other thoughts or does recover from the brutality of the initial shock and then realize the only escape from the pain is death? Does one's position in society make being crucified more humiliating?
Great art, Hornet!!!
Yep, great questions, Tree. Many of us have spent years seeking answers to them in stories and pictures. Does pain overwhelm all, or is there room for despair, shame, fear, even hope of rescue? I have often suggested that what occurs is a war between the body and the mind, between the sensations of the tortured body and the will of the individual, trying to stay sane and maintain personhood, or even just trying to survive. Or, regarding escape, the conflict between the body's instinct to keep going and the mind's will to end it?
Position in society must play a part. The privileged woman brought low, the daughter punished for the sins of her father, these must bring extra shame, additional mental trauma on top of the physical agony. But having said that, everyone can suffer, even the most wretched victim probably feels shame to be reduced to a piece of suffering meat on display.
Is the rich woman who is allowed clothes no less shamed for her helpless agonising death?
Where does the greatest shame come from? Helplessness? Exposure? Agony suffered in full public view?
I think we need to explore the questions more thoroughly