Cheese and Worms

            The Cheese and the Worms was a story written about a sixteenth-century miller, named Domenico Scandell, who went by the name of Menocchio. He was denounced to the Holy office being accused of speaking heretical and most pious words about Christ. Carlo Ginzburg uses trial records as his primary source and references several books a his secondary sources for this writing. His thesis is that the idea of popular culture is a reciprocal relationship of power between the dominant class and the culture of the subordinate class. This time period was marked by effective although secretive exchanges between high European culture and popular cultures. The dominate class doesn't always successfully dictate their beliefs and standards to the subordinate class. Ginzburg's argument is that it is unacceptable to think that ideas originate exclusively among the dominate classes but instead work not only from the top dominant class down but also from the artisan and peasant culture up. Menocchio's respondent behaviors were indicative of confusing political and religious practices of his time. .
             Menocchio was known to argue with anyone-even with the priests, about the faith simply for the sake of arguing. This was pointed out during the preliminary inquest. He was literate unlike most of his class. One accuser: Giuliano Stefant stated "he usually turns the conversation to matters concerning God, and always introduces some sort of heresy. And then he argues and shouts in defense of his opinion.".
             Ginzburg has a difficult time getting an idea of what other villagers thought of this proselytizing citizen, mostly because people weren't willing to admit that they were apart of listening to a suspected heretic. Menocchio was considered an honorable man, he once held the office of mayor, and was well liked by some of his community members. There were however others that felt he had a bad reputation and was evil.