Introduction to the Middle Ages

.:.Prompt.:.

Introduction to the Middle Ages: Lecture on the development of the English language from Celtic to Medieval and beyond.
Use the “Timeline of World Events” (Course Pack) as a reference.
“Sumer is icumen in” (Course Pack). Listen to the song on E-study
“Bisclavret” Breton lay by Marie de France (Course Pack)
          BLOG: Considering the place of women in medieval society, do you find it unusual that a woman has written a story about the treachery of a woman? Include image of a werewolf.
Ovid, Metamorphoses: the Story of “Daedalus and Icarus” (Course Pack).
          BLOG: Icarus is the “poster child” for hubris, the great sin of the Ancient world. Exactly what is hubris? How do we feel about hubris today? Provide at least two examples from 20th-21st century and explain your choices. Include news clips and/or images from the web.
 

.:.Blog.:.  

          Considering the place of women in the medieval society, I personally do find it unusual that a woman has written this story. At the time, women had no place in society except for maids or servants. A woman's job was to maintain chores around the house and serve their husband or those who kept her, such as their masters. And yet, at the same time, I find it interesting that a woman would have made Bisclavret. Bisclavret is about betrayal and treachery, everything that a woman was not supposed to be during this time. the fact that a woman wrote this showed that such things did happen during this time and that women were often found and 'taught' the importance of being virtuous to their husbands. Thanks to the amount of time a woman had during these time periods, she could have easily wrote but her education and knowledge would had to of come from somewhere else instead of her household, as women were not supposed to be able to read nor write during this time period.




          Icarus  is the "poster child" for hubris; hubris meaning excessive pride.  Hubris, in today's time, is commonly frowned upon. As humans, we think of excessive pride as a meaning of cockiness which can lead to failure in today's time. As I see it today, there are many if not countless examples of hubris. Just look at the news, for example and how Obama is treating the health care and the benefits its supposed to be giving the citizens who need it. I haven't seen much of his reforms during office be either good or helpful in this regard. Another, once again while looking at the television, is all of the boasting happening on game shows, or even rougher shows such as boxing, wrestling, and the like.