Medieval Society and the Rise of the Picaresque
Context of the Middle Ages (5th-15th Centuries)
Key Developments:
- Emergence of universities as intellectual centers, replacing convents.
- Struggle between Moors and Christians.
Medieval Society:
Medieval society was hierarchically organized, with the king at the top, representing earthly and divine powers. The social strata included:
- Nobility: Dedicated to war and hunting, served the king, owned land and wealth.
- Clergy: Indoctrinated people, preserved and transmitted culture, fostered the rise of universities
Chronicle of a Death Foretold: A Novel of Fate and Honor
Chronicle of a Death Foretold
Structure
The narration unfolds in a non-linear, circular structure. The narrator jumps back and forth in time, recounting events, dialogues, and testimonials from various characters, including Angela Vicario and Bayardo San Roman, years after Santiago Nasar’s death. This back-and-forth movement emphasizes the central theme of the work.
Part 1: Introduction
This section introduces Santiago Nasar and his community. It reveals the who, when, and how of the murder, along with
Read MoreArgumentative and Expository Texts
Argumentative Texts
The argument is to provide reasons to defend an idea or opinion. Its purpose is to persuade the listener or reader through an argument to act or think in a particular way. The appellate or argumentative texts are frequently used in social and cultural contexts. They are used in newspaper articles and advertisements (opinion articles, advertisements), as well as political oratory (debates, speeches), judicial settings (assistance from lawyers and prosecutors), and scientific or
Read MoreChronicle of a Death Foretold: Violence, Fate, and Religion
Chronicle of a Death Foretold: A Tale of Violence and Fate
Violence in a Society Governed by Honor
The narrative, set in a Hispanic context, explores the pervasive violence prevalent in the late 19th century. Characters in the novel are trapped in a cycle of violence, resorting to self-defense mechanisms as a means of survival and rebellion against their unsatisfactory lives. Chronicle of a Death Foretold serves as a prime example of this rampant violence, particularly concerning honor, male sexuality,
Read MoreSpanish Legends: A Collection of Tales
The White Deer
In this legend appears an Aragonese nobleman, Don Dinis, who had a daughter, Constance, and her personal servant named Garcés. One day, after finishing a hunt, they all gathered under some trees and a young man approached. Don Dinis told him it was fine to join them because he thought that all the deer were against him. One day, while looking for deer, a group of roe deer led by a white doe appeared, and the young man fled in panic. Everyone laughed except Esteban Garcés, who couldn’
Read MoreThe Virtues of Habit and the Evolution of Law
The Virtues of Habit and its Influence on the Legal Order
Azzo’s Perspective
Custom, for lawyers, is something that builds, interprets, and amends the law, even Roman law.
Community Power
Villages and communities have not fully or irreversibly transferred their power to grant entitlements (ius concedere) to the prince. They maintain a legal order that allows for stability and flexible regulation of the social body.
Customs and Their Enduring Function
Customs retain their power, and science endorses them.
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