History 342 Professor
Wertheimer
Study Questions for Thursday, February 12
Note: we will have an additional discussion session on Thursday, February 12, to discuss the questions below. For the discussions on the 17th, we will focus on sections 53, 56, 57 and 58, then move into talking about the exam.
1). Section 40
Explain
the reasons Urban II gave in his call to the Crusade. How did the call address problems in
(I think section 41 is self-explanatory)
2). Sections 42, 43
Compare and contrast the writings of Anna Comnena and Ousama ibn Mounkidh on the Crusaders. How does each view the Crusaders (or, more broadly, European culture as they represent it)? How do you account for the differences? What do Europeans learn about their respective cultures?
Remember that in these documents
“Franks” refers to the Crusaders (many of whom were from
3). Tierney section 46.
Bernard of Clairvaux was a Cistercian monk who represents an affective (emotional) movement in monastic piety. Explain what he says in this document. What should a Christian meditate on, and why?
4). Section 44
It is not necessary that you understand every section of Anselm’s proof, but what is he trying to accomplish? What is the purpose of this proof? How does he support his points?
5). Section 45
Read the sections from “A History of My Calamities” to understand the climate of the cathedral schools in the twelfth century. What role did personalities play in this climate? How did this dynamic affect Abelard’s subsequent career?
In “Sic et Non” (pp. 152 – 153), what is he trying to accomplish? How does he explain contradictions in texts? Finally, why did Bernard of Clairvaux (pp. 154-155) object to Abelard’s work?
6). Section 57.
This is a very small portion of Gratian’s Decretum, which deals with many issues beyond marriage. Using this selection as an example of his work, what is he trying to accomplish and what is his methodology? How does it compare to that of Abelard in “Sic et Non?”