Comparing Henry IV and Gregory VII - Essay Example

Henry IV killed Rudolph and this increased the conflict between Henry IV and George VII. These issues caused the tone and the language with which the two used to express themselves.

            From the story, it is clear that Henry IV and Gregory VII chose to use the language they used because they were wounded by pride and large ego. With pride and ego, Gregory VII says that “of the pope alone all princes shall kiss the feet.” This statement signifies how the pope was burning with so much pride and ego. Similarly, Henry IV had his own pride and ego that drove him to want to retaliate. In his letter to Gregory VII, he says, “Hildebrand, at present not pope but a false monk.” (Ernest 396) This shows how much pride he feels. Here, he condemns Gregory as a usurper.

            Secondly, the two leaders chose to use the words they used because they wanted to receive the ceremony and honor at the top of the medieval hierarchy. They wanted to be celebrated by the people as achievers and to be seen as heroes and better than others. That is why Gregory exalted the title of a pope while he was a pope, and Henry IV referred to himself as a king and condemned Gregory VII as a usurper.