Final Significance Flashcards
Islam
Praise of the god Allah and the prophet muhammad. Does not see Jesus as a god but as a prophet. Abraham has the ideal relationship with god.
Five Pillars of Islam
1) There is only one God
2) Pray 5x a day
3) charity (giving money to the poor)
4) Fasting
5) Pilgrimage to Meca
Providence vs. the course of Fate
The further from God you are, the more exposed you are to fortune. Providence=full understanding and God’s plan. Fate= working your way through being
the Supreme Good
Supreme Good is filled with supreme and perfect goodness =
perfect happiness = absolute sufficiency = power = reverence
= glory = pleasure
perfect vs. the imperfect good
In order to have a perfect good, an imperfect good must also exist.
Fortune and her wheel
All fortune is good. People have a tendency to become corrupt by their fortune. The wheel can then turn and take people from the top to the bottom. When fortune leaves, it leaves you w/ what’s real.
God’s foreknowledge vs. free will
God already knows what his plan for you is. Brings up the question of if people actually have free will. Could be argued that people have will to choose but will ultimately be put on the path their supposed to be on.
Caedmon and his Hymn
Turned verses from the Bible and Christian history into song. Combined old english poetic teaching with christian teaching. Merger can be seen within the old english poetry such as Beowulf’s praise to God.
Christian elements in Beowulf
During every fight Beowulf puts his faith in God to protect him and ensure victory. After the fights they thank him for his protection. During Beowulf’s battle with Grendel’s mother, God shifts his gaze to the underwater sword. When the dragon awoke, Beowulf thought he did something to anger God.
Grendel’s descent from Cain
Seen as a source of all evil. Makes the comparison that he is an outcast just like Cain was. Explains Grendel’s evilness.
the fight against Grendel’s mother
The lair of Grendel’s mother is filled with sea monsters and boiling blood. Beowulf cannot hurt the mother with his sword and Grendel is unable to kill Beowulf b/c of his chain mail. Beowulf is about to die when he spots a giant sword. He kills Grendel’s mother and then kills Grendel.
the role of treasure in heroic cultures
Seen as gifts to give retainers. Example is the war saddle that Hrothgar gives to Beowulf that is a dynastic gift or the gifts that thanes give to retainers. It gives them glory but they must also use it to give to others.
the comitatus
Relationship between a ruler and his thanes. The thanes would pledge themselves to the ruler and in return the ruler would give them economic and legal protection such as food, drink, and prizes. The thanes must protect the ruler at all costs.
Medieval Marriage
Marriage was made for practical and used to move up within the world. Created a loveless marriage that created the idea of courtly love.
the ideal of the Lady on the pedestal
Part of romanticism. The knights would do anything for the lady. As seen with the Knight in the Cart. Lancelot rides in the cart to get to Guinevere even though he will be shamed by people because of it.