Seven Deadly Sins of Literature Message Please note

Seven Deadly Sins of Literature

Message • Please note that we are looking at these words as a basis for conflict analysis in fiction. • Also, we will be studying literature as a cultural reflection of the time it was written.

Self-Destructive Behaviors • A "sin" in the context of Thomas of Aquinas, can be defined as "something human beings do which causes them to be unreasonable and unhappy. " • Much of the suffering that occurs in literature is due to a character committing of the sins. Bonus: In many of the older horror movies, the audience can predict who will die by noticing who sins.

The Seven Deadly Sins A painting by Hieronymus Bosch • c. 1485 (50 Kb); Prado, Madrid • depicts scenes of worldly transgressions • The circular layout with god in the center represents gods all seeing eye - No sin goes unnoticed. • In the corners of the image appear the "Four Last Things" mentioned in late medieval spiritual handbooks: Deathbed, the Last Judgment, Heaven, and Hell, all of which are favorite themes of separate Bosch panels.

Pope Gregory the Great • Pope Gregory the Great revived the idea of "The Seven Deadly Sins" in the sixth century. • He listed the spiritual offenses with Pride being the first and gravest of the seven because it can lead to the other six. • The seven deadly sins are usually committed against one's self and can destroy a person's physical and spiritual health.

Capital Vices During the 13 th century, the Roman Catholic Church incorporated these sins into its teaching. The church called them "capital vices" that can lead to sin. Literature such as Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" and various paintings have illustrated the seven deadly sins.

1. PRIDE/Vanity • A person thinks he/she already "knows it all" and "has it all". • Pride is a sin when it is in excess because it prevents one from growing and evolving, and from accepting oneself and others fairly and realistically.

Vanity: Vanity the Narcissus myth • In Greek mythology, Narcissus was an extremely beautiful young man who was obsessed with his own beauty. • When he saw his face in the water, he fell in love with it and could not stop looking at the reflection. • He gradually turned into a flower, now commonly known as Narcissus.

Vanity: Vanity the Narcissus myth • In another version of the myth, Narcissus drowns after trying to kiss his own reflection. • Narcissism is a term meaning “excessive self love. ”

2. GREED/AVARICE • One allows material items control his/her sense of contentment. • People under the influence of greed want more and are never satisfied

3. ENVY • Envy causes anguish or acting out in a way to gain what others have.

4. Wrath-Anger One becomes angry at someone or something to the point that one loses control over actions and words. • rage, fury, ire, wrath, resentment, indignation, offense, rant, temper, seethe, livid, annoyance, antagonism, rile… “Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding. ” --Mahatma Gandhi

5. Lust • Sufferers of lust may have a strong sexual attraction towards another. This attraction causes destructive choices.

6. GLUTTONY • Instead of being satisfied with what one has, he/she wants more, more. • The chief error about Gluttony is to think it only pertains to food. Some people can't have enough toys, television, entertainment, sex, or company. • It is about an excess of anything.

7. SLOTH • Slothful means to avoid work or only do a minimal job. • These choices impact others.

Get ready for this…

Sloth-Patrick Sloth is the sin of laziness, or unwillingness to act. Obviously, this is Patrick. He lays under a rock all the time and doesn't really do anything. In fact, in the episode "Big Pink Loser" he got an award for doing nothing the longest.

Wrath-Squidward • Wrath involves feelings of hatred anger. Squidward hates his life, usually hates Sponge. Bob, and is pretty much angry most of the time.

Greed-Mr. Krabs • Obviously, Mr. Krabs is greedy and desires money. He actually sang about the power of greed in "Selling Out".

Envy-Plankton • Plankton is envious of Mr. Krabs because The Krusty Krab is a success while The Chum Bucket is a failure. His envy drives him to try to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula.

Pride-Sandy • Sandy takes a lot of pride in who she is and that she is from Texas. She also takes pride in the fact that she is a mammal and a land creature.

Gluttony-Gary There is a running gag in where Spongebob says, “Don't forget to feed Gary. " or "I gotta go feed Gary. " Gary even ran away that time when Sponge. Bob forgot to feed him.

Lust-Sponge. Bob • Lust in one definition is "excessive love of others". Sponge. Bob shows his love of others with his over eagerness to do good and help people. He loves everyone around him, even if they don't exactly love him back.

Homework due • Typed or neatly written. 1. Write the sin and the meaning. 2. Provide an appropriate example from a world or historical event, a song, book, story, television show or movie.