MMW 13 Lecture 4: Medeival guilds, the Code of Conduct, and Othello
5 Feb 2018
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Document Summary
Othello represents rapid changes coming to europe from beyond- shakespeare writes. Othello was maybe from sub-sahara africa; was foreign; big deal. Wasn"t a slave, but a respected army man. Timbuktu- greatest library in africa for islam. Some of the greater mosques are still located in africa. Sundiata keita (1217-55) founder of mali empire. Class plays huge role (nobles (aristocrats, clergymen, dukes) rise of artisans and guilds- upper-middle class emerges. Self governing and wants to build more fortified towns and raises own money. Peasantry is there and so are servants. Medieval guilds: able to transform the labor system on the estates of members of nobility- coming together and changing labor market. Lex mercatoria: largely administered by the merchants; merchant justice system: codes, laws, and customs practiced throughout eu. Allows for specialization of labor production and exchange of goods between merchants and non-merchants is more cohesive. Labor is becoming a commodity on its own.
