Section 19.1
Which of Luther’s assertions would the Church of Rome have found heretical? Why?
The canon law provides for religious authority of the Pope and the practice of celibacy by the priests. Martin Luther did not agree with these two principles of the law. His perception of the canon law was heretical, according to the church, and is the reason he was ex-communicated Roman Catholic Church.
Question: Which aspects of this selection might be called anti-authoritarian which might be called democratic?
There are excerpts in Martin Luther’s speech that express anti-authoritarianism. He rejected to accept and honor the pope as the sole source of religious authority. The statement he makes about the ordination of a priest, consecration and clothing different from those of ordinary Christians is not just. All these do not make bishop or a priest a hypocrite and unspiritual or unchristian. Part of the speech says that the church has non authority but for reformation. His rejection of the canon law in totality is also antiauthoritarian. He did not agree with celibacy and the power of the clergy which he referred to as monasticism.
However, his view on the church’s partition into spiritual and temporal estates is democratic. All members of the church must be considered spiritual and treated equally regardless of their position in church. Christians are one body of Christ. This does not mean that the church should not have leadership as he rightly states that everyone does his own work in serving the church. Priests and the pope are necessary for order and guidance of the church. The statement that no one has right to do harm or to barr an intention to prevent harm is pro democracy.
Section 19.2
What disciplines does Dame Folly single out as having “the greatest affinity with folly”?
Medicine, law, arts, science and philosophy are professions that Dame Folly singles out as to have the greatest affinity to folly. He says that medicine is more rhetoric than true while artists are obsessed with self satisfaction and that the worst performance attained greater appreciation.
How does Erasmus attack the religious community of his day?
Dame folly describes the Christians of his day as full of self-love looking down upon the non believers as though they had guaranteed themselves ticket to Heaven. He says some of them called themselves religious and monks which according to him are false names because they keep far away from religion because they do not read scriptures. He says that they read out psalms in church which they have not learned by heart but by role. He says that they collected food from door to door at the expense of common beggars for sale so as to make profits.
Section 19.3
What sort of organization does More set forth in his Utopia?
More describes organization of the society in which every family is governed by a father. In his kind of society goods are offered for free depending on family need since everything is available in plenty. In economic exchanges money is not used and good s are exchanged for free. In Utopia the laws prohibit greed, fear and pride.
How would you describe More’s views on precious metals and on war?
According to More the folly of men is responsible for the valuation of God, silver and other precious and scarce metals. He believes that the elimination of the use of money would shift the value to other metals such as iron which has more important uses to man than God and Silver. Concerning war he believes that it should be necessary for defense of Utopia and friends from any unjust aggressors. If Utopia agrees to truce, they observe it so religiously and they hurt no man who is unarmed. He says that every man and woman should be trained just in case war becomes necessary.
Section 19.4
What rules of chivalry forbid sancho’s assisting his master in battle, and with what exception?
The law of knighthood. The law has exception if offenders are mere rabble or people of low regard in society.
Section 19.5
“Each man calls barbarism whatever is not his own practice,” writes Montaigne. What illustrations does he offer? Does his claim hold true in our own day and age?
Montaigne cites several examples of the barbaric nature of human traditional practices. One example is going to war naked with bows and arrows well aware of the blood shed that would surely ensue. Each warrior brings backed heads of dead enemies as trophies. In some instances men are roasted and eaten as revenge. Tyranny cruelty and all forms of barbarism may not occur in the modern day because of the structured system of law that controls relationship among different groups.
Section 19.6
Question: What does each of these sonnets convey about the nature of love?
Sonnet 18 describes love as eternal, 116 describes love as constant and never changing, while 130 describes love as rare and unique.
Section 19.7
What profound question does hamlet address in his soliloquy?
Hamlet addresses the question of conscience in acting in response to impulses. He questions the triggers for meaningful actions and impulses that stop him from action. He contemplates the futility of human action.
What conclusion does Ophelia reach at the end of her conversation with Hamlet?
Ophelia agrees with Hamlet’s idea of honesty in actions, saying that she has seen his “noble and sovereign reason”.
Section 19.8
How do Emelia’s views on women as wives compare with those of Desdemona?
Emelia is a more liberated woman. She says that she would hesitate to retaliate for any misconduct by a husband. Though she believes that a wife should treat well her husband, she believes that she must not be mistreated at will by the husband and that wives should fight back. Desdemona on the other hand feels the cry of mistreated wife but does not believe in retaliation. In the end she prays to God to help her not to repay any bad action done to her.
References
Fiero, G. K. (2010). “The Humanistic Tradition (6th ed, Vol. II)”. New York, NY: McGraw Hill
