The readings show a more human side to people of the middle ages. In particular, the saints come accross as more human. For the most part, Augustine's "Confessions" show how he used to sin and kind of paint a picture of his movement from sinfulness to some sort of perfection. However, in book ten he talks about how he still fantasizes about having sex with many different women as he is sleeping. I feel that it shows that although he has fought off his sinful nature, he still has to deal with the urges of his past. He didn't simply discard his old habits with severe discipline. Rather, he seems to have managed a way to not act on these urges. He still wants to have sex with many partners, but he fights an inner battle not to sin.

The readings also confirm my perceptions of the middle ages as a time that was unsanitary compared to today's standards. The fever seems to be a common killer during that time. However, now after 3 days of medication and rest one can return to full health.

The commonality of the fever leads me to wonder whether or not the fever was used to name other illness that carried the similar symptoms, but were unknown at the time.