Response #3

This week in discussion section we covered Machiavelli's the Prince, a guide on how to govern. Machiavelli wrote it while in political exile for his enemy Lorenzo Medici, who was responsible for his exile. It is widely accepted that Machiavelli wrote the book to win political favor but the brutal nature of the ideas expressed in this book make wonder if the book was written sarcasm, if so why? Machiavelli makes a distinction between leaders of fortune and virtue and it is interesting that his idea of political virtue is often in direct opposition to the Judeo-Christian definition of virtue. This makes me wonder how pious a rule can really be and remain in accord with the Machiavellian definition of virtuous?   

Response #2

When reading Giovanni and Lusanna, the social customs of time peaked my interest. The concept that marriage had to be public in order for it have legitimacy is fascinating. Why is it that privacy was not valued during this time Florence? Also the fact the marriages were arranged during this time interests me because it makes assume marriage during this time social duty that individual does to benefit their own family and the public nature of marriage makes it useful for political or business posturing. I want to know why elite families use the instruments of the church like marriage to advance their own agenda? 

Response #1

This week in class we covered the Black Death and I thought the question pertaining to the Jews being scapegoated for the Black Death was interesting.  The Black Death was not seen as public issue but as a moral judgment from God showing his dissatisfaction with European society. People’s response to this idea manifested in several ways with some people repenting through self-flagellation and others blaming the Jews because they were ones who killed Christ, fun fact it was the Romans that actually executed him. Anti-Semitism was popular and the Jews could be blamed and due their marginalized position in society they could not fight back. It was a way for Christians to absolve themselves of their responsibility for the plague.