Response Question to Ignatius Loyola's Spiritual Exercises

1. What is the difference between what Loyola describes as "spiritual consolation" and "spiritual desolation"?

Loyola describes spiritual consolation to be the interior movement of the soul, realising its intense inclination to love its creator. Consequently, the soul loves only God and no other worldly thing. The complete opposite of this action is what he describes to be spiritual desolation. This is when the soul not only rejects God, but further descends into the love of low and earthly things.

Thirty Years War and the Habsburg Dynasty

What role did the desired expansion of the Habsburg Dynasty play in the Thirty Years War?

The Habsburg Dynasty's desire for expansion influenced the Thirty Years War through their intermingling with different countries as allies throughout the war. While their capital in Vienna was sacked and fought over many times, the Habsburgs did not resist to stick their fingers fragile and manipulable "Play-doh" of other nations politics.

Edict of Nantes (1598) Response Question

Does Henry IV grant complete liberty of conscience in his edict? If not, how is freedom of religion restricted?

Through the Edict of Nantes, Henry IV established Catholicism as the national religion of France, which was the majority consent of France, as well as giving Huguenots the freedom to worship. The freedom provided by this edict is quite radical when considering the recent history of Protestantism in France. When thinking anachronistically of both religious tolerance as well as the acceptance of Protestantism. The Edict of Nantes gives Protestantism many rights, yet Henry IV "expressly forbids...its exercise...other than the places permitted". Also "books...called Reformed may not be printed and publicly sold...except in places where permitted". These restrictions may seem quite deliberating, however, the Huguenots in France would've seen this document as salvation rather than restriction.

Hythloday on Capital Punishment

Hythloday claims that death is far too harsh a punishment for a petty crime like thievery. He argues that people only commit thievery because they are in need of something, and in More's time, all people in a thief's class would desire is food. Hythloday's solution to thievery in replacement of the death penalty is to provide food to the people. Hythloday says that because the issue of thievery lies in the society and not the citizen, the society is the one that should change.

Raphael Hythloday in Thomas More's Utopia

Raphael Hythloday makes an interesting addition to More's writing not only acting as a voice in this dialogue but also as a character himself. Hythloday plays the role of a guide, like Lady Philosophy in Consolation of Philosophy, he seems very wise and knowledgeable, but also like Virgil in The Divine Comedy, he is very relatable: he holds his own history, interacts with the reader, and seems like an intriguing person to get to know. Also, the audience may even be confused that More's "guide's" name means nonsense-peddler, but we are still convinced to trust him.

Thomas More's Utopia Preface

The Preface to Thomas More's Utopia is direct to Peter Giles, a political and social acquaintance of More. While the letter reserves some degree of high style formatted dialogue, like in Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy, it reserves another degree of humour and amiable tone. More is extremely cautious and nervous of the publication of his work in the preface, articulating fears of judgement and rejection. Through the tensions expressed in the preface, the audience is to expect a complex work that holds socio-political criticisms.

The Catholic League (1576)

Assassination of the Duke of Guise

Henry I (Duke of Guise) formed the Catholic League in 1576 in an attempt to forcefully remove Protestantism from France. Philip II of Spain, the Pope, Jesuits, and many Catholics both in and outside of France were strong supporters of their movement. Their main goal at the end of the 16th century was the removal of the Protestant-sympathizing King Henry III. 

Second Shepherd's Play Response Questions

11. How do the shepherds punish Mak for his thievery?

The shepherds originally decide to slay the pathetic creature they have caught. Instead, and much more mercifully, they roll him up into a large sheet of canvas and beat him with rods until they are out of breath.

14. What gifts do the shepherds bring the Christ-child?

After coming to the Christ-child, they begin to both exalt him combined with adoring his cute child features. After doing this each of the shepherds present him with a gift. Coll presents him with a bob of cherries, Gib presents him with a bird, and finally, Daw presents him with a ball to play Tennis.

18. Discuss the use and effect of anachronism in the play?

Anachronism is used inaccurately in the play to further be clearer in what the author is trying to state. The author uses anachronistic phrases not for the sake of inaccuracy, but rather to avoid the use of unknown and unacknowledged contemporary terms. The author does this to be clear with his audience, not an audience that would’ve been present at Christ’s time.

Edict of Nantes 1598

The Edict of Nantes, established in April of 1598, was a declaration of King Henry IV of France that allowed Huguenots to live freely in France. This was significant both for religious and political reasons. By becoming religiously tolerant of Protestantism, France became yet another refuge for non-Catholics. At the same time, it became a battleground for new Huguenot ideas and traditional Catholicism. Politically, the French government became more distinguished from Rome, that is Catholicism. By being legally tolerant of Protestantism, it made a statement both about Rome as well as the new religious ideas popping up over the rest of Europe. 

The Peace of Augsburg 1555

The Peace of Augsburg in 1555 was an agreement between Charles V and the independent German states. This agreement allowed the princes of these states to assign themselves to either Lutheranism or Catholicism respective to the demographic make up of each state. This further encouraged German particularism due to the fact that most national states held national religion. When each state adapts different religions, they further articulate themselves separate from each other. 

Satire in Late Medieval England

How does the English Literature of the late medieval period demonstrate both the tension in the social fabric of late medieval England and a consolidation of traditional beliefs?

The literature that circulated in late medieval England was fluent with critical satire of socio-political problems of the time. This is most apparent in Chaucer's work, who relentlessly critics the members of the Church and other hypocritical members of his society. Similarly, William Langland speaks out against the Church's corruption with a harsh voice in Piers Plowman. However, these works did not speak against a traditional Catholicism, rather the corruption of that tradition and the injustices it forced onto the English people. The reverence for the Church is abundant throughout the mystery plays, and even in Langland's and Chaucer's work. This appreciation of Catholic tradition is quite apparent in the retention of Catholic tradition via Anglicanism even after England's split from Rome.

Calvinism vs. Lutheranism

Lutheranism, begun by Martin Luther (1483-1546), holds the view that salvation is open to everyone who seeks after it, and then holds faith with good works. Lutheranism also states that while God is a supreme authority, man holds some freedom and responsibility in his own life.

Calvinism, initiated by Jean Calvin (1509-1564), believes in predestination. This idea states tgat because God is omniscient, he already knows who will enter heaven. Therefore, there are already a chosen few who will obtain salvation, and they will be known through their good works, which is not the pinnacle of their salvation. Also because God is omniscient and omnipotent, he determines every action of our lives.

Medieval Mystery Plays and the World of Stagecraft

Mystery plays went throughout Medieval Europe and were especially popular in England. These plays roamed from town to town presenting plays from stages on wagons. The actors consisted of basic townspeople who were funded by guilds in the town. Generally, these plays consisted of cycles which portrayed biblically-based stories, supposedly for the purpose of teaching the illiterate public people of these towns the gospel.

Summary of the York Play of the Crucifixion

The York Play of the Crucifixion outlines the scene in which Jesus is nailed to the cross by Roman soldiers and the raising of the cross. The soldiers appear unphased (perhaps even numb) to Christ's grotesque torture. They also seem ignorant of his crime, treating him like a lamb about to be slaughtered at a grecian butcher. Christ remains silent except for two monologues (or dialogues with God), through the entire painful scene.