Essay Questions

What is the ideology in the case of Sigibert and his son?

Gregory of Tours narrates, “ When King Clovis was dwelling at Paris he sent secretly to the son of Sigibert saying: “ Behold your father has become an old man and limps in his weak foot. If he should die…of due right his kingdom would be yours together with our friendship.” Led on by the greed the son plotted to kill his father. And when his father went out from the city of Cologne and crossed the Rhine and was intending to Journey through the wood Buchaw, as he slept at midday in his tent his son sent assassins in against him, and killed him there, in the idea that he would get his kingdom But by God’s judgment he walked into the pit that he had cruelly dug for his father.” First, it is imperative to avoid greed for it could cause one’s downfall. Second, one should not conspire destroy others; he/ she may end up being destroyed. Sigibert’s son loses his life when King Clovis’ men slay him before he enjoys the kingdom and the treasures which his father leaves behind. He gets into the pit of death which he had set up for his father.

How does Gregory of Tours Counter the heretics’ criticism about God’s anger?

Gregory of Tours writes, “And so the Lord, being angered against the iniquities of the people who did not walk in his ways, sent flood…Here the heretics upbraid us because the holy Scripture says that the Lord was angry. Let them know therefore that our God is not angry like a man; for he aroused in order to inspire fear; he drives away to summon back; he is angry in order to amend. Furthermore, I have no doubt that the ark typified the mother church. For passing amidst the waves and rocks of this world protects us in its motherly arms from threatening ills.” Gregory of Tours implies that God is not angered easily like humans. He used the floods to demonstrates his capacity to rid the world of all evils. Moreover, alluding to the similarities between the ark and the church strengthens Gregory of Tour’s argument about God’s power to safeguard.