Study Guide

The Swerve

Stephen Greenblatt
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48 pages • 1 hour read

Stephen Greenblatt

The Swerve: How the World Became Modern

Stephen Greenblatt
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2011

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Essay Topics

1.

In the Middle Ages, some ancient texts written on parchment are erased and written over. What is the name of twice-used parchments, and why do the monks resort to their use? Compare this practice to modern practices of preserving (or not) texts.

2.

Epicureans believe the universe is made of atoms. How does this belief affect Epicurean moral philosophy?

3.

More’s book Utopia imagines a faraway society that lives in accordance with Epicurean ideals, but More makes one major exception that puts the Utopians in agreement with Catholic teaching. What is that exception, and why does More believe that any Epicurean society must make such an exception?

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