Magdalena and Balthasar

A detailed Summary of Magdalena and Balthasar

In the book, Magdalena and Balthasar, Steven Ozment reveals and interprets letters written by a husband and wife in the late sixteenth century. The letters entailed daily life occurrences between Magdalena and Balthasar through a sixteen year period. They explained the joy, hardships, and intimate love relationship that Magdalena and Balthasar experienced in a portion of their lives. Their close and personal relationship in which they had between one another clearly explained that remaining in good health, being business partners, and having faith in God were priorities that Magdalena and Balthasar had in their lives.

Magdalena and Balthasar were always aware of all of the ailments and diseases that they were susceptible to. They were unfortunately witnesses to many casualties of friends and relatives. Due to the lifestyle in which they lived, they were not by each other's side all the time and therefore were in constant worry of one another, praying that the other was in good health condition. Magdalena writes to Balthasar on the 7 of July 1584, in Altdorf, saying, "I have hoped that Almighty God will grant my heartfelt prayer and restore your health there by Christian means, since it has not been his will to do so her

Due to Balthasar's occupation, he often traveled and was not home as much as he liked to be. He depended of Magdalena to help him with his business responsibilities. Balthasar's work was a main priority in his life and he made Magdalena a part of it. She became a Nuremberg distributor, bookkeeper, and collection agency. They worked together in a partnership to keep Balthasar's business afloat. In one letter written by Magdalena to Balthasar on the 18 of April 1594, in Nuremberg, she says, "I paid the tailor already after your departure, but he tell me there is no woolen material left over. When Hans arrives, I will send him also to the count, as you instruct. I have given your brother the money that belongs to Bartel Albrecht to deliver to him." Magdalena keeps Balthasar updated on all of the business interactions that occurred while he was away. She was in charge of all the billing of peasant customers and clients and had to keep exact records. Balthasar was able to trust Magdalena as a business woman and therefore, knew that she was capable to run his business and make decisions when he was not there. In a letter written by Magdalena to Balthasar on the 19 April 1596, in Nuremberg, she says, "I understand that I must get from Andreas Imhoff and Torisani. It will be done most diligently... I must also reserve with Tasani a barrel of wine coming to him for the holidays;... so we have the one we need for Kramer, to whom, have already sent two and a half kegs. Wilhelm Kress has taken one and a half kegs... It will come to nine gulden before excise taxes." Magdalena enjoyed the fact of being independent. Besides helping Balthasar with his business, she became head of the household when Balthasar was away on business. She liked to being in charge and having a say on certain issues. Magdalena and Balthasar had a modern way of thinking when it came to their marriage and relationship. They believed in equality. Thinking on this level was beneficial for the both of them because this is part of the reason why Balthasar's business was able to flourish. Without having trust in one another, nothing good would have been able to come out. Being a merchant was very time consuming for Balthasar. Both had to deal with the business every day and always kept one another updated on the business moves and decisions that were made.

e. May God preserve you at all times and bring you safely back to me in joy so that we may again cheer and comfort each other after our long separation." Magdalena has dedicated part of her day for praying for her husband to remain in good health and return home safely. The couple attempted numerous treatments in order to mainta

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Approximate Word count = 1810
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English