Chapter 4 Section 2 Medieval Culture

1. Identify: chanson de geste, Dante, Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas Aquinas, Roger Bacon
chanson de geste: a long, narrative poem that portrays the ideals of chivalry
Dante: the most famous medieval poet who lived in Florence.
Geoffrey Chaucer: English poet who influenced vernacular literature
Thomas Aquinas: the most famous medieval scholastic thinker who taught that there was no conflict between faith and reason
Roger Bacon: a prominent philosopher and science who noted the importance of experiments. He is known as the founder of experimental science.
2. Define: vernacular, scholasticism, alchemist
vernacular: vernacular languages were languagues that were strongly influenced by Latin such as French, Spanish, Italian, and Portugese.
scholasticism: school of thought in which reason and logic were used to support Christian belief
alchemist: scientists who tried to make useless metals into go with a mixture of science, Christian beliefs and philosophy
3. a. How did Romanesque architecture show Roman influence?
It had huge domes on top of the church. To support that dome, it had to have very thick walls with very little slits.
b. How did the flying butress make Gothic architecture possible?
It was a graceful stone arm that leaned against the outside wall to help support the weight of the roof. It had pointed arches and large windows that lighted the interior. People liked this, so the built more.
4. What two kinds of vernacular literature developed in the late Middle Ages?
One kind was chanson de geste which was a long, narrative poem which portrayed the ideals of chivalry. The other is troubadour poems, which sang love songs and recounted the deeds of legendary warriors.
5. What subjects did students study in medieval universities?
They studied grammar, rhetoric, logic, geometry, arithmetic, astronomy, and music.
6. List three inventions of the late Middle Ages.
Lenses for glasses, glass for windows and mirrors, clocks.