Middle Ages Background:
(500-1500 A.D.)

• Begins with collapse of Western Roman Empire  (See Timelines )
• Ends with "discovery" of Western Hemisphere,
• Invention of printing press (1455: Gutenberg Bible),
• Break in the religous unity through Protestant Reformation, and
• Renewal of direct contact with Greek Art, Thought, and Literature
• Question:  What group brought about this renewed Greek contact? How?

• Main heroes are kings or chieftains
• Main concerns are war, power, wealth, and glory
• In 14th C., Warrior begins to play a smaller role.

• Roman Empire: Strong Political Unity, Spiritual Variety
• Medieval Europe: Political Disunity, Spiritual & Intellectual Unity
• Question:  What was the standard language of Europe?

• Relationship between Human and God
• History
• Allegory
• Morality Play

• What are three defining features of the Middle Ages?

• What is a miracle play? What is a morality play? (See also 509)

• What type of play is Everyman?

• What are the Seven Deadly Sins? 
• What is a reckoning?  Why does God want one from Everyman?

• What is a "scourge"?  Why must Everyman endure one?

• Why is Good Deeds able to rise?
• What is the "garment of contrition"(524)?

• What are the seven sacraments?  List them. 

• In the end, who does in fact go with Everyman?  Why?

• What are the four levels of Biblical textual interpretation according to the system of fourfold allegory?
• What is humanism?

• What literary forms evolved during the Medieval Period?

• Explain Death's words: "I set not by gold, silver, nor riches, / Nor by pope, emperor, king, duke, nor princes" (514).

• What does "weenest" mean? (See also 520).

• Explain:  "I will not forsake thee, unto my life's end" (516).  Does Fellowship mean this?  Explain (See also Cousin on 518).

• Explain:  "It is said, in prosperity men friends may find, / Which in adversity be full unkind" (518).

• Explain Goods's speech on this page.

• Explain:
• For because on me thou did set thy mind,
• Thy reckoning I have made blotted and blind,
• That thine account thou cannot make truly;
• And that hast thou for the love of me. (520)
• Explain:
• But if thou had me loved moderately during,
• As to the poor to give part of me,
• Then shouldst thou not in this dolor be. (520)
• Explain:
• Therefore to thy soul Good is a thief;
• For when thou art dead, this is my guise--
• Another to deceive in the same wise
• As I have done thee, and all to his soul's reprief. (520)

• Why does Everyman hesitate to go ask Good Deeds to come with him?
• Why is she "cold in the ground" (521)?

• Who agrees to go with Everyman?

• What is "extreme unction" (526)?
• Explain:  "No remedy we find under God / But all only priesthood" (526).