...Germanic Romance as a Getaway from Medieval Society Erec and Enide, Parzival, and Tristran were all very popular Medieval Authurian Romances which have captivated many readers through the years. I too have found reading them to be very enjoyable experience. I particular liked the aspect of reading stories that were written centuries ago, which has given me some insight into the culture of medieval northern Europe. I have been able to realize the importance that medieval people placed on the ideas of being a knight, courtly love, and King Authur’s court. I believe I know why these works were so popular, it was because works like this allowed individuals of medieval societies to be taken away to a fantasy land where everyone was beautiful and those who acted in the right manner were rewarded for such actions. This fantastic other world was a major contradiction to what life in medieval times was actually like. I have read many articles describing medieval life as being hard, rough, unrelenting, a constant struggle for survival, routinely fighting off invading armies, and those who did live glorious lives were a select few. But when one would read one of these three stories they could visualize King Aurthur’s court which was full of brave knights who had beautiful wives, and one could only hope that somehow he would find himself in this wonderful place and everything would be just fine. This is why these stories were so popular because they could transport the reader from there...
Words: 2503 - Pages: 11
...Jewish people’s relations to the majority in the medieval Christendom In “The Wandering Arm”, Sharan Newman brings the readers back to the 12th century Paris, France by utilizing her vivid imagination. By creating complex relationships among both Christian and Jewish characters, we observed how Jewish people behave themselves in a Christian dominated world. Among all the Jewish characters, Hubert is the one with most complicated feeling toward his Jewish identity. Hubert was born as a Jew, but the crusaders killed all his sisters and mother when the latter attacked Rouen. Hubert’s neighbor adopted him and baptized him, and later let him become a Christian merchant. (Newman, page 49) Even though most people regard him as Christian, (only few people know his real identity and relationship with Eliazar) inside his heart, he always wanted to become a Jew. When Abbot Sugar offers wine to Hubert, Hubert felt guilty and accept the wine. (Newman, page 78) When he heard Prior Herve’s statement about Jewish people, he “forced his teeth to unclench.” (Newman, page 49). In addition, Hubert secretly attends the Sabbath in the synagogue. (Newman, page 63) Hubert’s role represents Jewish people who were forced to abandon their faith and become the Christian. For these people, the only choice they may have is to continue act as Christians, and hide their faith inside their hearts, without letting others know, even close family members. Once Hubert tell the truth about his identity to his...
Words: 1502 - Pages: 7
...a lot 50% of those who caught the disease died in 2-7 days 2. Name three ways that medieval Europeans believed the plague was spread. By inhaling bad smells By looking into the eyes of a person who was infected Spread across the sea by an evil, magical wind from India By thinking too hard about it Through contact with infected people or travellers 3. Name three things that medieval Europeans did to try and avoid or treat the plague. Avoid sleeping on just one side, so that fluid would not build up in the lungs Mix sweet-smelling flowers with human faeces to make a medical paste, then put this on the buboes Avoid contact with infected individuals by quarantining them in their homes Kept sweet-smelling herbs or flowers to protect themselves from bad smells (which were thought to spread disease) 4. Why did the Black Death first appear in large cities? Because cities attracted merchants from all over Europe, and there were lots of people living close together 5. Who spread the Black Death through Europe? Anyone who travelled around Europe: o Merchants and sailors o Soldiers o Pilgrims Year 8 History The Black Death 6. How did the Catholic Church respond to the Black Death? The Church said the plague was a trial sent by God, and the righteous would survive it. The Church encouraged Christians to pray and seek atonement for their sins. 7. How did the flagellants respond to the Black Death? The flagellants rejected the Church’s explanation...
Words: 527 - Pages: 3
...Medieval Societies during the 5th to 15th centuries were not a somewhat comfortable place for a lot of women of this time period. Medieval women of the middle ages had a very rough time in an era when many men had lived harsh lives--farming, war time fighters or servants. Only a few women lived subtle lives because the medieval society was completely dominated by men, and women had to adjust to the teachings and cultures of knowing their roles in such a time. The majority of women had little or no role to play when it came to making contributions to their countries or communities at large. It is noted in medieval arts that the place of women in society was dictated by biblical texts, namely, Eve having eaten of the forbidden fruit, being responsible for the "original sin" and the source of humankind's depravity. A woman's main role in the medieval village was not of power and privilege or that of a queen, but to marry at a very young age, managing the household, and tending to the needs of her husband and children. The most important roles of the medieval women were that of childbearing, which often came with its own complications. Since women had no...
Words: 1258 - Pages: 6
...discussed the middle ages and how it was marked by the division of Western Christianity in the Reformation. Christianity began to lift Europe from the Dark Ages, during the reign of Clovis. When the Roman Empire ended around 500 A.D., the power of the Catholic Church began to diminish. Christian society was held to have two aspects: the church and the state. Even though the popes and secular rulers had strong ties between each other, there were also conflicts that occurred. For instance, the church felt as if they were responsible for the souls of the people including the emperor. So as a result, the church claimed supremacy over the state as well as the administration of the Catholic Church. This was in conflict with the secular rulers who sought to protect and expand their power within their territory. Next, the church had a difficult time adjusting to the fact that during the Renaissance period, the demands focused on money instead of allegiances. Some church leaders also started to violate the biblical laws that they were supposed to uphold. Instead of the church providing spiritual leadership and direction for the changing society, it became preoccupied with its administration staff and with the collection of revenue. However, although the Catholic Church was weakening, the popularity of religion throughout all parts of Europe began to increase. 2. Describe at least four aspects about the lives of the serfs in medieval society in Europe. Serfs were defined as peasants...
Words: 468 - Pages: 2
...Historian | The Dialectic in Faith/Reason and Ethics/Daily Life | | | History 104: The Medieval World: 500-1500 C.E. | This paper is going to cover two countries. One is a western European nation and one is a Middle Eastern nation. We are going to be covering France and Iraq and how their medieval formation of religion shaped their country into what it is today. The purpose of this paper is to outline how religion used to have such an impact and see how much that impact is today. Church and State have made a separation but is that a good thing or a bad thing? When you think of France you think of the Eiffel Tower, rolling fields of grapes at one of the many vineyards on the countryside, the fantastic food and the endless romance. Most do not often think about the days when soldiers in suits made of iron ran the countryside and collected the King’s taxes from all of the peasants he ruled over. It was a time when work and the Church were the only things in your life. Modern day France is Parliamentary Republic with two Houses of Parliament (the Senate and the National Assembly) and the Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister.1 The Republic of France is ultimately led by a President but he/she must confer with all branches of government before any major changes can be made. This political checks and balances system ensures that the people of France have a part in how government rules over nation. National sovereignty is vested in the people, who exercise it through...
Words: 1929 - Pages: 8
...maintained order in medieval Europe. In the dark ages, the residents of Western Europe slowly paced through the dark streets of their town. There was nothing but what seemed a gloomy spell has been fallen over these people. The only thing keeping the Francs in line, the feudal system, In the feudal system, the inhabitants of this time were divided into classes. Peasants and, Knights and lords. At the bottom of the totem pole, lies the peasants and serfs. They are forced into doing the agricultural labor (wikipedia). Peasants are considered “A member of...
Words: 748 - Pages: 3
...During the medieval period, Religion was a topic of great importance within a person's life. The church guided society and culture based on the teachings and understandings of the life of Jesus Christ. We are able to highlight the importance of the church during the medieval period through the teachings and life of Jesus. The characteristics of the medieval period and the impact of important aspects such as monasteries, art and architecture and health and medicine, give us a more in depth idea of what it was like during the middle ages and how people were drawn to religion and the teachings of the church. Beginning in the 300s, monasticism affected the entire church and also influenced European culture, theology, agricultural methods, art, music and architecture. Monasticism is a way of life in which a group of individuals pursue holiness. It is one of the...
Words: 689 - Pages: 3
...Feudalism was a complex system introduced in medieval Europe and Asia, and was also used in both Europe and Japan. It was a dominant social system in which nobility held lands from the crowns in exchange for military service. Through this system, vassals were the tenants of the nobles, while the peasants were to live their lord’s land and give him labor and a share of the product. Though feudalism was a similarity practiced throughout Japan and Europe, they also have many differences. Many of these similarities and differences occur in areas such as politics, economics, social and religious aspects of each respective country’s culture. Japan and Europe shared similarities and differences in their political cultures during medieval times. While...
Words: 428 - Pages: 2
...The first evidence of the plague hitting Europe was at Sicilian port of Messina in Italy after a long voyage was taken place from the Black Sea. Many of the sailors boarding the ships were either found dead or ill from a mysterious cause that was unknown and therefore spreading the plague. This impacted the European society and lifestyle in that the economy and population were declining rapidly in just a few years. Several people during this time turned to their religious beliefs and blamed themselves because they believed God was punishing them for their sins. This leads to the question: “How significant was the belief in the Catholic faith during the Black Plague in Medieval Italy and what impact on society did this have?” To this day, the Black Plague is an event that can be interpreted in many ways. By investigating the event through the religious view, it challenges the views of...
Words: 909 - Pages: 4
...throughout the Middle Ages During the Middle Ages, the culture and society of Europe and the Western world was under the control of the Church. The religious aspects of medieval European peoples were a great consideration in the matters of the body and health care. The majority of medical knowledge and research was under the influence and followed the expressed ideas of the Church. As the hold of the Church on society began to disintegrate, medicine was able to move from medieval practices influenced by religious belief into modern medicine, based upon observation and evidence. Causes of disease and illness were now understood and scientists were able to start searching for cures because restrictions that prevented modern medical theories from being discovered were lifted. Paracelsus discovered that agents outside the body caused illness. The study of the human anatomy was now practiced and became an essential part of medical knowledge, giving way towards new modern advancements such as blood transfusions and surgeries. Da Vinci conducted many autopsies and constructed detailed drawings of the human anatomy, which had never been studied earlier. Medical knowledge was no longer different and divided into sects but was now centralized under the modern scientific teachings taught to doctors in universities everywhere. As the culture of the Middle Ages moved away from the Church and religion so did scientific knowledge, and without this change medicine would never have been able...
Words: 3196 - Pages: 13
...European women in the late Middle Ages did not hold considerable power. They were usually passed from the control of their fathers to the control of their husbands. Certain women, however, did not follow this path, which led to their marginalization in society and often to their turn to prostitution. Since prostitution is widely believed to be the oldest profession in history, one might imagine that it was considered an acceptable profession in society. However, prostitution was an area of great debate during the Middle Ages, as it was a practice which was considered morally repugnant, but its value in society could also be seen. Considering the large influence that Christianity had on medieval European society, the church’s opinion of prostitution was adopted by society at large. Since Christianity valued virginity in women so highly, it would seem natural that the church would be against prostitution and would try to eliminate it as a profession in society. However, in practice, the medieval church did not go to great lengths to punish prostitutes. Considering this fact, what was Christianity’s and more generally society’s attitude toward prostitution? In what ways did the church and the legal authorities face the morally unacceptable practice of prostitution? Based on the laws of the late Medieval period and evidence of the abundance of prostitutes in Europe, it is clear that society had an ambiguous standpoint towards prostitution, denouncing it as immoral while simultaneously...
Words: 2674 - Pages: 11
...New Art Forms of the High Middle Ages Throughout history Europe has experienced countless changes in culture and other aspects. The Middle Ages, or Medieval Period, lasted from around 800 into the 1400’s (349). This period can be subdivided into three categories: early, high, and late. The Middle Ages brought about changes in religion, law, and daily life. Changes also occurred in the arts with the introduction of Gothic architecture and troubadour poetry. Although the Middle Ages began as a time of violence, the emergence of Gothic architecture and troubadour poetry are examples of devotion and expression. During the tenth and eleventh centuries cathedrals were constructed (367). The style of the cathedrals resembled Roman architecture, which was the preceding time period. (367). Features of Roman architecture included “massive walls, rounded stones arches, and small windows” (367). By the twelfth century, this new style gained the name “Gothic.” The Gothic style introduced new engineering improvements and emphasized more emotional expression. The structures of Gothic architecture consisted of pointed arches, high ceilings, and flying buttresses (367). A flying buttress carried the weight of the roof. “Midieval Archtechture” states: “The walls of Gothic buildings could be thinner than previous styles of architecture because the weight of the roof was supported by the arches rather than by the walls. The pointed Gothic arch provided greater flexibility could also span...
Words: 1216 - Pages: 5
...know as the Renaissance. Although this period in our history is generally thought of as a reformation in how we as people look at the world around us, it was inspired by the classics of Greece and Rome. With this new found interest in classical writings, values, and art, humans crawled out of the “Dark Ages” and in into the age of “rebirth”, forever impacting the way think and perceive the world around us. Northern Italy can be looked upon as the father of modern history; however, it was Northern Italy’s grand-father, Greece and Rome that inspired this modernization of the world. Italy is full of Roman architecture and art; it was this influence, combined with a spike in common wealth that began the first break from medieval logic. Individual city states began flourishing, taking politics into their own hands. Influenced by an increasing number of wealthy businessmen, people began to dismiss the old fire and brimstone ideas of medieval rule and began to center on one’s self. This promotion of “self” compelled people to explore their individual talents and glorify intelligence rather than oppress it. For the first time in centuries, creative arts were encouraged and those who possessed the talent were highly sought after. Religion, while not completely phased out of daily life, was taken into consideration, but people’s lives did not revolve around it like in medieval times. Instead, a typical Renaissance era citizen was involved in every aspect life not letting their spirituality...
Words: 1559 - Pages: 7
...The Renaissance in Italy and Europe The French word Renaissance means “rebirth” and is the period in European civilization immediately following the Middle Ages. It relates mostly to the growth of artistic and intellectual creativity which is also used by artists and thinkers to recover and apply the ancient learning and standards of Greece and Rome. The Renaissance was basically an intellectual and also cultural movement that imparted some sort of intellectual quality which made it one of the most important events in universal history. This movement was carried on between the fourteenth century and the sixteenth century. The Renaissance was believed to be restricted to Italy somewhere during the late 15th century. This great movement made a huge and advance difference in the world today and also back in the days. It brought major contrasts with civilization in Europe during this time period. This has become of my interest not only because it is one of the world’s most known events, but also because it is a movement that benefited and contributed intellectual developments in most parts of the world today. It is most commonly known that one of the reasons the Renaissance period took place was because theology was rejected by the Middle Ages and was taken over by science. The outlook and institutions of the Middle Ages disintegrated and conspicuous modern forms, like science, emerged. Because of the different levels in society during the time of this intellectual movement, all...
Words: 2071 - Pages: 9
