Assessment 2

.docx

School

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi**We aren't endorsed by this school

Course

NURSING 6675

Subject

Arts & Humanities

Date

Jan 6, 2025

Pages

Uploaded by KidMouse4802

1Most Surprising Aspect of the StoriesUsamah’s tales should be examined for subjectivity and prejudice. His personal connections, beliefs, and cultural background shaped his narrative as a Muslim warrior and courtier. He tried to be accurate, but his preconceptions may have shaped his representation of the Franks and their events. These biases must be acknowledged to understand his narrative dynamics. Historians must verify Usamah’s stories with other contemporary sources. Comparing his stories with those of other people, civilizations, and historical documents may help clarify the occurrences. Multiple sources’ consistent themes or facts bolster Usamah’s story, but differences may cast doubt on its truth.The objective of Usamah’s autobiography is crucial to assessing his narrative. If his goal was to record historical events accurately, his tales could be more credible. However, if the autobiography promotes a narrative or justifies behaviors, it may be unreliable. Deciphering the narrative’s reasons requires understanding the author’s goal. I conclude that Usamah b. Munqidh’s autobiography provides unique insights into the Muslim worldview during the Crusades. However, historical context, the author’s subjectivity and prejudices, confirmation with other sources, and the autobiography’s goal must be considered to evaluate its integrity. Historians may evaluate the historical worth and limits of Usamah’s tales by navigating these elements.The contrast between Muslim-Frank friendship and combat hostility is Usamah b. Munqidh’s most striking story. This paradox shows the richness and intricacy of human connections during a turbulent time. Usamah b. Munqidh’s narratives show a striking dichotomy in Muslim-Frank ties during the Crusades. The most surprising finding is the disparity between combat enmity and intimate friendliness. Despite fighting the Crusaders, Usamah makes friends

2with a Frankish knight who calls him “my brother.” This surprising association shows that human bonds may overcome geopolitical animosity.Usamah’s anecdotes show the significant cultural and medical distinctions between Muslim and Frankish communities. The Franks’ crude and inept medical techniques and unusual marriage connections contrast with Usamah’s Muslim counterparts. These anecdotes highlight the vast cultural gap between the two civilizations, making their encounters even more surprising. Usamah’s encounters and the responses to a blind guy accused of murdering Franks show the different Muslim opinions against Franks. The Franks are seen as outsiders, yet many have formed true connections and expressed deep suspicion and disdain. This nuanced picture challenges simple assumptions and highlights the complexity of Muslim feelings toward the Franks at this time.Usamah’s willingness to offer personal tales, especially his dread of losing his kid to the Franks, humanizes the historical story. This makes the story more relevant and shows the emotional toll of living in a war-torn age. Usamah’s story shows that people with deep emotions, desires, and fears lived behind historical events and geopolitical conflicts. The rich weave of connections in Usamah b. Munqidh’s tales, where friendship and strife coexist, are most astonishing. The stories challenge preconceptions about Muslim-Frankish encounters during the Crusades by showing the complexity of human perspectives.