Introduction
Richard Newhauser
The study of the vices has developed new sets interests since first vigorous and now classic examination in English topic seven deadly sins by Morton Bloomfield. present collection essays, which were initiated a Summer Seminar 2006 sponsored National Endowment for Humanities at annual Sewanee Medieval Colloquium 2007, offers to readers variety disciplines some newest research these areas. Bloomfield’s pioneering work built on scholarship earlier generations surveyed an impressive number occurrences capital discursive literary texts from Late Antiquity end Middle Ages. His pathbreaking also came include survey Latin manuscripts transmitting information virtues later As use contributions volume demonstrates, his remained consistently important date its initial publication, though times as much questions it did not ask those opened up further critical inquiry. It set stage understanding utility examining context history ideas monastic psychology, especially inspirations creativity Ages, particular literature. essays here Peter S. Hawkins Carol Jamison (on Dante Gower respectively) James B. Williams Carolingian monasticism) take lines inquiry begun Bloomfield, but they reveal deepening awareness, past decade, need critically contextualize role played author’s oeuvre or ecclesiastical institution. Such framed historical social concerns, embed cultural practices can be seen articulating (un)acceptability behavior helped define, given brief space best study.