ENGL 364 Dr. Helen Bittel STUDY GUIDE FOR "FRA LIPPO LIPPI" Answer any six of the following question sets. L1-44 Who is the silent listener? Why is Fra Lippo is trouble? How does he attempt to get out of trouble? L.45-80 What excuse does Lippo offer his accuser? How did he end up in a place where monks are not supposed to go? What do we learn about Lippo's nature here? L.81-109 Why did Lippo become a monk in the first place? How does this revelation contribute to his defense? L. 110-143 How did Lippo's humble beginnings shape his artistic talent? Why does the Prior agree to let him stay at the monastery, despite the trouble he causes by doodling in hymnals? What does this reveal about the Prior? L. 144-172 Why, before they are "instructed" by their superiors, do his fellow monks like his painting so much? What else do we learn about the Prior? L. 172- 198 What, according to the Prior, is wrong with Lippo's painting? What should he strive for in his painting? Why is this hypocritical? L. 198-220 Why, according to Lippo, are the Prior's ideas about art ridiculous? What is the relation of the body to the soul? Where is the spiritual value of painting the body (as well as the soul)? L. 221-269 Why does Lippo break the rules of his monastic order? And why does he feel justified in doing so? L. 270-315 Why does Lippo believe that art should reproduce the real---just as it is, flaws and all---rather than use art to improve upon (or present idealized versions of) the real? L. 316-335. What does the Prior think that art should do, and why does Lippo disagree? Why does Lippo believe that his realistic fresco of St. Laurence has served the church well? L. 336-393. How does Lippo propose to "make amends" when he paints his next fresco? Contact the English Department at: 570-348-6219. E-mail: English@marywood.edu.

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Last update August 19, 2004
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