|
The picture shows two scenes in the upper register of the north wall. Scene 5 (left) depicts the Temptation of St Benedict. Devil causes the image of a seductively beautiful woman to appear in Benedict's head. Seeing himself thus tempted to forsake the life of a hermit, the saint resists by throwing himself naked into briar and nettle bushes.
Scene 6 (right) depicts St Benedict's blessing causes the cup of poison to shatter. The monks at a monastery in the town of Vicovaro turn to Benedict with the request that he preside over their monastic community. The monks, however, soon grow weary of Benedict's unexpected strict rule and endeavour to murder him. The cup of poisoned wine they offer the saint shatters when Benedict makes the sign of cross above it.
| 
