Midterm History 426

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University of Wisconsin, Madison *

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426

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English

Date

Dec 6, 2023

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pdf

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Uploaded by PresidentBoulderAnteater49

Question 1 (500 words maximum) Using whichever assigned readings and lecture materials you choose, assess the following claim: "Blood feuds in the Middle Ages are an indication of lawlessness and societal disorder." I disagree with the claim that blood feuds in the Middle Ages are an indication of lawlessness and societal disorder based on Egil’s Saga. This story was written in the 1300s but was based on something that happened in the 900s. In the story, Egil and Erik are engaged in a blood feud as Egil had previously killed Eriks son. Egil is eventually shipwrecked on Eriks land and must face Erik. When Egil arrives at Erik's castle, he prostrates himself at Eriks feet and is granted the night to compose a poem about Erik to perform for him the next day. Eriks wife is unhappy with this decision as the moment Egil had arrived she wanted him to be killed. Egil composes a poem and performs it for Erik in front of all his men and the poem is well received. Erik grants Egil safe passage but the feud remains between the two men. This example shows how despite the feud between these two men, if the necessary steps were taken to bestow honor onto a man that you have wronged, further conflict can be avoided. Another element of this story that proves that feuds maintained societal order was how Erik ignored the wishes of his wife to kill Egil immediately. Despite pressure from his spouse and his own personal vendetta against Egil, Erik was able to uphold rules of the feud as to not dishonor himself. Oftentimes the role of women in stories from the middle ages is as an instigator who attempts to keep the men from finding peace. Another interesting aspect of this story was that during the middle ages they believed that there was a finite amount of honor available. This meant that when Egil prostrated himself in front of Erik he was putting himself in a compromising position in order to offer up honor to Erik. If Erik were to kill Egil in that moment, Egil would have died a very honorable death and Erik would have dishonored himself. But when Erik receives this praise and grants Egil safety for the night, he gains the honor himself. Finally, this story highlights how in the middle ages the right to feud was reserved by the upper class. If any of Erik or Egils men felt differently about the situation, there would be no indication of that in the story as their opinions were not considered. In summation, Egil’s Saga is an excellent example of how while the Middle Ages were riddled with feuds, there were still a prevailing set of rules that governed the violence. Question 2) (250 words maximum) When Dante enters the 2nd circle of the Inferno , He encounters Paolo and Francesca. Who were they in life? What was their fate in hell? Are they being punished? Why or why not? Paolo and Francesca were lovers in life. Francesca was married to Paolo's disabled older brother, and they engaged in an affair together until the brother caught them. When the brother

discovered them together, he killed them. In hell, they were sent to the 2nd circle which was for people who were subject to desire. This circle is largely associated with lust, but the concept is taken slightly further. These people have given in to their bodies natural passions and have lost their ability to use restraint. This connects with their punishment as they were not able to control their passions on earth, in hell they are unable to control their bodies. They have been cursed to be blown by a wind in a whirlpool of souls. When Dante speaks to Francesca and Paolo they tell him of their great love and praise him for visiting them. Dante is overcome with pity and faints again. While some may say this is proof that they are not being punished, it rather represents the opposite. These two cursed lovers are still plagued with the memories of their ‘great’ love story. They are completely unable or unwilling to give up the sins of their lives and thus are forced to spend eternity in hell remembering their love.

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