The Life Of St. Benedict In Plato's The Republic

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The Life of St. Benedict was written by St. Gregory the great. Like Plato’s The Republic, it is written as a dialogue between Gregory and Peter. By using this method, the author is able to stop and explain himself better and more thoroughly. Benedict was credited with establishing twelve monasteries. Gregory says that the things he recorded to him where related to him by Benedict’s disciples, Constantine, Valentinian, Simplicius, and Honoratus. Gregory records the events of Benedict’s life and portrays him to be one of the most pious and righteous men to ever live. Benedict seems to be portrayed through his actions and works as a mixture of Paul, Elisha, and Jesus Christ. One of the major themes throughout the book is the way Benedict devoted his entire life to Christianity. When he was a boy, Benedict wanted to convert to a life of suffering for God. He lived in a cave until a priest was instructed by God to find and nourish him. Even as a young man, he was already called a man of God. Even as a small child he is said to be able to pray for miracles at a young age. Some people were jealous of his righteousness that on a few occasions he was almost poisoned. With divine enlightenment Benedict was aware of these evil plots and was able to demonstrate his righteousness and that God was protecting him. After …show more content…

He was able to petition to God through prayer and by calling on the power without prayer. When Benedict performs miracles it is to either teach a lesson or to show authority. Although, on a few occasion there seems to be no reason for his miracles. For example, in chapter nine Benedict prays for a stone to be a moved. This kind of miracle seemed to be for convenience only. The miracles he is credited with mimic those of other people from the Bible. He healed leprosy, prayed for a stream of water, and through him his disciple was able to walk on water. He mimics Paul, Moses, Elisha, and

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