Sin in Medieval and Early Modern Culture: The Tradition of the Seven Deadly Sins Edited by Richard G. Newhauser and Susan J. Ridyard
Thomas N. Tentler
Reviewed by: Sin in Medieval and Early Modern Culture: The Tradition of the Seven Deadly Sins Edited by Richard G. Newhauser Susan J. Ridyard Thomas Tentler Sins. Ridyard. (Rochester, NY: York University Press association with Boydell & Brewer. 2012. Pp. xvi, 338. $99.00. ISBN 978-1-903153-41-3.) Thirteen authors examine a variety representations over many centuries, words, music, art. Generalizations about decline heptad its replacement Ten Commandments are accepted or confronted revised. subjects range from greats (St. Aquinas, Dante Alighieri, Guillaume de Machaut, Jean Gerson, Hieronymus Bosch, Edmund Spenser, Philipp Melanchthon) to less famous obscure. Newhauser’s learned introduction provides valuable [End Page 576] overview, but there is singular attraction diversity richness details—which this brief review can only list suggest. James B. Williams recounts central role played St. Benedict Aniane (and Carolingian reformers) expanding definition acedia spiritual physical labor, intimates wider influence through Benedictine pastoral work. Kiril Petkov believes that seven deadly sins now more likely elicit praise than condemnation—except for “minor vice” arrogance, whose ancient medieval identity as vainglory continues arouse “moral indignation.” Kate Gunn identifies traditional sources (Cassian, Gregory Great) twelfth-century dialogue Vices Virtues. “Intended use, not show” (p. 84), it occupies transitional place among guides confession prior 1215 (with comparisons forward-looking De vera et falsa penitencia, which quotes, Ancrene Wisse). Eileen Sweeney compares Aquinas’s treatment malo (dependent on Aristotelianized Summa theologiae 2a 2ae. Abandoning ascetic dualism, accepts passions natural (gluttony preserves life, lust promotes procreation, anger be righteous, etc.). Yet sexuality where Aquinas “loses little his unflappable detachment” 95). Holly Johnson presents fifteenth-century Franciscan preacher’s ingenious interweaving interrelated heptads—deadly sins, diseases, Christ’s sufferings, cures—in meticulous analysis sermon’s argument, logic, rhetoric. Nancy McLoughlin describes Gerson’s application defenses critiques hierarchies, most particularly Church, secular authority, university (which Gerson “equated charity, reason divine wisdom” [p. 154] also found prone own set vices) court sermon does spare monarchy. adds extensive documentation persistence after putative abandonment, inspiring polemical satire (of Catholics between Protestants), adapting late-medieval struggle virtue vice stage, providing continuity social critics Langland Spenser. Anne Walters Robertson gives close revelatory text, political message fourteenth-century motet based popular allegorical Fauvel (an acronym vices). Peter S. Hawkins’s exploration “The Religion Mountain” delineates precision theological literary qualities make Dante’s Purgatory dramatic transition static hell up transformative mountain. Beginning dismissal death-of-the-heptad thesis, Hawkins ends poignant appreciation 22’s “canticle-long celebration artists poets”—suggesting we moderns have lot common Dante. Comparing John Gower’s Tale Constance” those Chaucer Nicholas Trivet, Carol Jamison shows Gower has fashioned an exemplum against envy celebrates remedy, charity. version yet another example assumption documented throughout collection evil vices produce consequences. Henry Luittikhuizen analyzes each Bosch’s Prado tabletop, focuses eye at center—rejecting reductionist reading the...
Catholic Historical Review