Usamah Relationship Essay
How does Usamah view the European Crusaders, or 'the Franks', as he calls them?
Usamah seems to view them with mixed emotions. I think generally, he has a good relationship with the ones he’s grown to know. In fact, he even befriends one. What I find curious is that Usamah states, that the Frankish knight that befriended him, called HIM brother, and although he says there were mutual bonds, never refers to the knight as his brother. The Frank (knight) even went so far as to offer to take his son as squire and gave him the respect of honoring his mother’s wishes. Then, when he visited a Christian church and happened across some monks, he was blown away at their devotion and actually was disappointed that Muslims didn’t show the same reverence. With all of his positive experiences, however, he did have a few bad experiences with Christians, but they seem to be with the “newer” generation of Christians, in that they were “ruder” Over all, I think he respects the older generation but found the younger to be much worse and thus the cause of his mixed emotions.
2.) What do these excerpts tell you about Muslim-Christian relations in the Near East during the …show more content…
Methinks there were good relations in the beginning, but as things progressed in the Crusades, the tensions started to build. There appears to be a distrust starting to form between the Christians and the Muslims. However, whilst both were at war, there was a certain level of respect and admiration.
3.) How do these excerpts compare to popular perceptions about the Crusades?
They completely contradict the manifestos of both sides. Whereas; the Muslims depict the Crusaders as vicious animals ripping out the throats of Muslims and the Crusaders depict the Muslims as heretics and animals. Yet, these excerpts show both sides as moralistic and humane.
4.) Do Usamah's memoirs surprise you at all? How do they affect the way that you view the Crusades?
Usamah seems to view them with mixed emotions. I think generally, he has a good relationship with the ones he’s grown to know. In fact, he even befriends one. What I find curious is that Usamah states, that the Frankish knight that befriended him, called HIM brother, and although he says there were mutual bonds, never refers to the knight as his brother. The Frank (knight) even went so far as to offer to take his son as squire and gave him the respect of honoring his mother’s wishes. Then, when he visited a Christian church and happened across some monks, he was blown away at their devotion and actually was disappointed that Muslims didn’t show the same reverence. With all of his positive experiences, however, he did have a few bad experiences with Christians, but they seem to be with the “newer” generation of Christians, in that they were “ruder” Over all, I think he respects the older generation but found the younger to be much worse and thus the cause of his mixed emotions.
2.) What do these excerpts tell you about Muslim-Christian relations in the Near East during the …show more content…
Methinks there were good relations in the beginning, but as things progressed in the Crusades, the tensions started to build. There appears to be a distrust starting to form between the Christians and the Muslims. However, whilst both were at war, there was a certain level of respect and admiration.
3.) How do these excerpts compare to popular perceptions about the Crusades?
They completely contradict the manifestos of both sides. Whereas; the Muslims depict the Crusaders as vicious animals ripping out the throats of Muslims and the Crusaders depict the Muslims as heretics and animals. Yet, these excerpts show both sides as moralistic and humane.
4.) Do Usamah's memoirs surprise you at all? How do they affect the way that you view the Crusades?