PLEASE SEPARATE/NUMBER QUESTIONS 
1. Identify and discuss the prevailing idealogical, social, political and religious conditions in Italy during the Middle Ages: who was in power? How did those in power manage to ascend to power? What was the prevailing governmental structure? What were the prevailing institutions which kept society stable? Was there a predominant religion, if so what was it? How did social conditions contribute to literature and art? 
2. Identify and discuss the importance of the various maritime republics and city-states in Italy: where were they? What influence did they have on neighboring cities or regions? What, if any, significant contributions did they make? How was life different in these places as compared with the rest of the Italian peninsula? What was their relationship with trade? How did they support the expansion of capitalism and banking?
3. Identify and discuss ways in which Italian became an important literary language: who were the main authors of early Italian literature? What was their body of work? In what ways was the early Italian literature different from the literature that preceded it? Do you think that any of the works are still relevant? Do you think they apply to our modern world? If so, how? If not, why not?
4. Identify and discuss ways in which education was important during the Middle Ages; was there formal education? Who had access to it? What was taught? Discuss the universities at Salerno and Bologna as well as the University founded at Naples. How might a medieval education differ from an ancient Roman education? What influences do you think the early universities have on our modern educational systems?
5. Identify and discuss ways in which the Gothic artistic style differs from the Roman styles we have seen. Are there any similarities? What were the main media used? Find an image that you believe is an example of Gothic art (painting, building, etc.) Discuss what aspects of it lead you to believe that it is Gothic (artist, technique, subject, feature, etc.) Please include details about the artist if they are available.