Unit 2 "How Many Sins are Committed in a Single Day"

Author Bio: Johann Tetzel was a Roman Catholic friar and preacher. He studied at the University of Leipzig and was known for exchanging money for indulgences. Tetzel was later condemned from the church for life due to fraud and embezzlement.

Date/Context: Written in 1517 during the Renaissance.

Summary: Johann Tetzel is speaking directly to the reader. He begins by saying that the reader should feel blessed for the gifts that God has given them. He reminds the reader that life is difficult and sins surround us day by day. Tetzel notes that God is forgiving. He insists that through means of confession you will avoid Purgatory and find yourself in Heaven. Tetzel tells the reader that after confession, it takes seven years of penitence to rid yourself of a sin, whether this takes place in life, or in Purgatory. Tetzel wonders how many sins are committed in a single day, week, year, etc. by one person. He believes that anyone who commits a sin belongs suffering in Purgatory. Tetzel encourages the reader to exchange money for indulgences from the church that help you to get rid of your sins so you can get into Heaven.

Key Quotation: “Are you not willing, then, for the fourth part of a florin, to obtain these letters, by virtue of which you may bring, not your money but your divine and immortal soul safe and sound into the land of Paradise?”