Jacob Bidermann, Cenodoxus
Act I:
What made Bruno decide to found the Carthusian order?
What is Cenodoxus’ primary sin?
How does Mariscus get lunch out of Cenodoxus?
How does Dama, Cenodoxus’ slave, trick Mariscus out of getting his lunch of the day?
Why does Hypocrisy enjoy picking men like Cenodoxus as
victims?
How does Cenodoxus describe himself with the help of Self-Love?
How does Dama “explain” to Cenodoxus why Mariscus is complaining?
What are Cenodoxophylax and Conscience trying to do?
Why does Panurgus summon Self-Love and Hypocrisy?
Act II:
What kind of test does Philaretus want to perform on behalf of Guarinus?
What does Cenodoxus want to know from Dama after his guests depart? What will happen to Dama if he doesn’t tell Cenodoxus?
What texts does Cenodoxus find in his house?
Why does Navegus approach Cenodoxus? How does Cenodoxus react at first? How does his behavior change when Hugo and Bruno are present?
How does Cleptes get away with the theft of the carpet?
How does Self-Love explain to Cenodoxus that Rusticus has never heard of him although Cenodoxus is convinced the entire world knows who he is?
Act III:
How does Cenodoxophylax attempt to save Cenodoxus next?
How does Self-Love explain Cenodoxus’ vision of hell and his own damnation?
When fear does not do the trick, Cenodoxophylax calls in another helper. Whom?
How is the demon Panurgus attempting to win Cendoxus back?
Who counsels Cenodoxus when Hugo and Philaretus visit him on his deathbed?
How does Cendoxus conduct himself in the face of death while Hugo and Philaretus are present?
What do Panurgus and Cenodoxophylax fight over? What is the basis of their claims?
What is the meaning of true glory according to Cenodoxophylax?
After Cenodoxus’ death the demons celebrate that he is all theirs. But Cenodoxophylax asks them to delay the punishment. What for?
Act V:
When Panurgus first testifies against Cenodoxus in Christ’s court, he specifies the main reason for winning Cenodoxus’ soul and thus the case?
Why are Hugo and his companions so terrified and decide to delay the burial rites?
Why doesn’t Saint Michael defend Cenodoxus?
Throughout the trial Cenodoxus’ spirit pleads with Christ. For what?
Why do Hugo and his companions postpone the burial a second time?
Why is Christ so angry at Cenodoxus and determined to take revenge?
Why does Bruno decide to leave the body of C. behind unburied?
Panurgus has an idea for a position for Cendoxus when he is in hell. What is it?
How does Bruno counsel his companions to avoid the fate of Cenodoxus?
Discussion Questions:
1.Things are not always what they seem in Cenodoxus. People deceive others and they deceive themselves. Demons trick people, and even angels play a role in creating deceptive appearances. Discuss the theme of deception in the play. Who deceives whom, when and why? What are the consequences of deception for human relations and individuals?
2. Compare and contrast Ignatius and Cenodoxus. Do the two men have things in common? How are they different? Who is a more likeable character? Why?
3. Does this play remind you of themes, figures, or issues that you read about in the Autobiography of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the Spiritual Exercises? Try to identify some of these same themes, figures and issues when we look at Jesuit art and architecture during the first lecture of the week.
4. We are studying a whole range of Jesuit media this week: the Spiritual Exercises, art and architecture, and the Jesuit theater. Which one of these media was the most effective in your view, and why? How do these early modern media compare to today’s media?