Customer center

We are a boutique essay service, not a mass production custom writing factory. Let us create a perfect paper for you today!

Example research essay topic: Faith In God Sixteenth Century - 1,548 words

NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote

The book Magdalena and Balthasar by Steven Ozment describes the relationship between a married couple in the sixteenth century. Balthasar was a merchant who traveled a couple months out of each year for his trade. Magdalena, his wife, was very devoted to him and helped him with his business. Their relationship, which included trust, loyalty, and love, was very different then most married couples of their time.

They had a son together and even though he was not in their lives for long, he was dearly treasured. Although Magdalena and Balthasar led different lives of modern day, the relationship between the two are very much the same as a typical married couple today. Marriage in the sixteenth century varied greatly from Magdalena and Balthasar's relationship. Besides loving, trusting, and respecting each other Magdalena and Balthasar shared a closeness that many couples of their time could not come close to achieving. Magdalena would share her thoughts about everything with him.

She would express her feelings of widows remarrying too soon saying that it is a sign of betrayal to their dead husband. She also shares her business interests with Balthasar. Most men would not put up with that and not listen to their wives, but Balthasar valued what Magdalena had to say. He too shared his worries and opinions with her. They always expressed how they felt about each other and they were always trying to prove their love to each other.

These things are all a part of the reason of how and why Magdalena and Balthasar were so close to each other. Since many marriages during the sixteenth century were arranged many couples were not in love with each other. They did have to learn to love each others qualities and learn to love each other in general. This is very unlike Magdalena and Balthasar, who were very much in love. They knew that they were in love with each other and chose to get married to each other. Their relationship was one filled with a lot of care and trust between each of them.

They were partners who relied on and benefited from each other. One way to understand their love was by them looking out for each other. Balthasar would do this by sending Magdalena clothes, like sweaters, when he thought it was cold and she needed it. Magdalena would always be telling Balthasar to watch his diet and take care of himself.

She was also regularly reminding him to bleed himself so that he stays healthy. They were also showing their affection with loving words in their letters and looking out for each other by means of their Lord, God. Magdalena was always awaiting Balthasar's return from his trips and she always had faith in God that He would arrive home safely. Another thing that contributed to their successful marriage was the respect that they had for each other. Although Balthasar was the head of the household, he never treated her with a lessor respect. Women were considered a lessor value then men, as Merry Wiesner explains, She had no voice in guild decisionmaking and took no part in guild festivals. (304) In those time women were considered subordinate to men.

Because Magdalena was a women she was born with little rights and almost no responsibilities. Balthasar treated her always with the respect of a modern day women. He relied on her as a partner, and even listened to her when she would tell him to do something. Magdalena in a sense was lucky to be able to voice her opinion, even if it was just to her husband. Magdalena and Balthasar also trusted one another and expected trust from one another. They were always reminding each other of their affection and their loyalty.

Balthasar signs his every letter the same, Your loyal, loving husband (Ozment). This shows that even though he is away from his wife he loves her so much that he would not cheat on her, which was very common in their time. Magdalena and Balthasar both loved their son dearly. As most medieval people did not distinguish children from adults this was not so for Magdalena and Balthasar. (Herlihy, 170) Balthasar was very strict and tried his best to bring his son up right. He wanted his son to keep up with his studies diligently, be respectful, and be good in general. (Ozment) Since Balthasar was constantly away he tried to give his son advice through his letters. Balthasar also thought that his son would behave if he threatened him with punishments, although Magdalena did not always think this method was fair.

Balthasar would say things like, if Little Balthasar does not do this or does not do that he will not receive what he is asking for. Magdalena on the other hand liked to spoil her son; she was constantly asking Balthasar to bring things home for Little Balthasar. She also paid a lot of attention to him and tried to keep her son happy. She also wanted her son to do well in all his studies and she encouraged him to achieve his goals. This is very much like modern day where the father is a lot stricter and the mother is extremely sensitive and caring to the child. When Little Balthasar got very ill both the parents were extremely worried.

They were both very hopeful and optimistic. Even when things got really rough Magdalena and Balthasar still were able to see the brighter side. Their faith and hope in God was able to get them through seeing Little Balthasar suffer the way that he did. Then Little Balthasar died.

Although this brought Magdalena much pain and heartache she kept her faith in God. Balthasar was also upset because he really did treasure Little Balthasar. Although it did not effect him as harshly as it did Magdalena. She and Balthasar relied heavily on God at this time and truly believed that if that was what God meant to be, then it was okay and they would survive. Since Little Balthasar did get very sick and died, Balthasar came home from his trade route as soon as possible. Balthasar's merchant business was very important to not only him, but also to Magdalena.

She was like the store manager and Balthasar was not only the buyer, but also the boss. She ran the trade from the house when Balthasar was away. He did a very good job also because if she did not Balthasar would have surely left the business to someone else to handle while he was away. She would receive and deliver shipments to their customers.

She would also collect payments with a little help from her brother in law. Balthasar always sought her advice when he could not decide on his own. He trusted and respected her opinion and sought it with ease. Based solely upon Magdalena and Balthasar's marriage a person could say that it was very much like a modern day marriage, and that it did differ greatly then any other marriage of their time. Today marriage is based upon love, trust, respect, loyalty, and understanding. Magdalena and Balthasar had all these things and more.

Magdalena and Balthasar shared a very close and personal relationship. It is understood that they shared personal things with each other when Magdalena writes things like, Take my greetings into your heart of hearts, you chosen treasure, until God helps us come together again in joy. (Ozment, 50) They shared responsibilities almost equally just like a marriage today. In their times marriage was not shared equally and the husband was the dominant household figure. Although their marriage was like modern day, it did have its differences. Most marriages of the sixteenth century were based on God and their religious ties. Many peoples values and morals came from their faith and trust in God.

Also many couples did things as they thought God would want it and so did Magdalena and Balthasar. They turned to God whenever they had a problem and believed that God created the good and the bad in life. If something happened it was because of Gods will and they truly believed that, which is very unlike today. Today most people believe things happen for different reasons like bad timing or personal will. Although people of modern day do have strong religious ties, people today are more reliant on things like medicine when they are sick, and scientific answers to natural disasters. In conclusion, Magdalena and Balthasar's marriage was quite different then that in the sixteenth century.

Their marriage was based on love, loyalty, trust, and respect. Magdalena and Balthasar had achieved a close and personal relationship between themselves in which other couples probably desired. They had a son together in whom they cherished and loved. Although life brought them some hardships, they basically had a happy joyful life. They looked to God for answers, but found joy in themselves.

Their relationship had many qualities of modern day times and was ultimately successful. Even though Magdalena and Balthasar's marriage happened in the sixteenth, it was so ful of love and joy that any couple from any time would love to have achieved the kind of relationship that these two have shared. Bibliography: the book Magdalena and Balthasar


Free research essays on topics related to: modern day, married couple, faith in god, personal relationship, sixteenth century

Research essay sample on Faith In God Sixteenth Century

Writing service prices per page

  • $18.85 - in 14 days
  • $19.95 - in 3 days
  • $23.95 - within 48 hours
  • $26.95 - within 24 hours
  • $29.95 - within 12 hours
  • $34.95 - within 6 hours
  • $39.95 - within 3 hours
  • Calculate total price

Our guarantee

  • 100% money back guarantee
  • plagiarism-free authentic works
  • completely confidential service
  • timely revisions until completely satisfied
  • 24/7 customer support
  • payments protected by PayPal

Secure payment

With EssayChief you get

  • Strict plagiarism detection regulations
  • 300+ words per page
  • Times New Roman font 12 pts, double-spaced
  • FREE abstract, outline, bibliography
  • Money back guarantee for missed deadline
  • Round-the-clock customer support
  • Complete anonymity of all our clients
  • Custom essays
  • Writing service

EssayChief can handle your

  • essays, term papers
  • book and movie reports
  • Power Point presentations
  • annotated bibliographies
  • theses, dissertations
  • exam preparations
  • editing and proofreading of your texts
  • academic ghostwriting of any kind

Free essay samples

Browse essays by topic:

Stay with EssayChief! We offer 10% discount to all our return customers. Once you place your order you will receive an email with the password. You can use this password for unlimited period and you can share it with your friends!

Academic ghostwriting

About us

© 2002-2024 EssayChief.com