Introduction
“The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch is a triptych, and tells the story of the Garden of Eden, sins of the people, and being banished to Damnation. It is argued that this since this piece was painted between 1503 and 1504; the artist was more able to focus on his meaning because of the religious reformation. Before this time, it is believed that Bosch could have possibly been killed over having said what he wanted in his painting.
Reformation
Martin Luther, who believed that the Roman Catholic Church was corrupt, led the religious reformation. Luther believed that the bible needed to be rewritten in other languages that people could understand. He also believed that a person could enter into Heaven without having to do so many good deeds to be forgiven for their sins. He thought that people could join the residence of Heaven by believing that there was a God and that his son, Jesus died so our sins could be forgiven. Luther wanted the church to be for all people, not just for the rich and well educated.
Painting
The Garden of Earthly Delights
“The Garden of Earthly Delights” was painted by Hieronymus Bosch. This complicated painting has three sections. The outer wings can close together to create a whole new painting. This piece tells the story of Adam and Eve to the payment of sins (middle painting) in Hell or Damnation. In the first panel, there are animals, birds, and Adam and Eve. The middle painting is of many nude people cavorting amongst each other. In the final section, it is dark and eerie, and depicts pictures of people being punished for their sins. When the outer panels are closed, it shows God creating Earth.
Painting and the Reformation
With the reformation of religion also came a reform in art of all kinds. Artist began to put more of themselves into their paintings. They were able to state their messages inside the paintings without being afraid of being killed for doing so. Bosch told his story in these paintings regardless of what the church would think of them, and in so doing, created one of his most famous pieces of work. With the changes in church beliefs, Bosch was able to show what he believed.
Since Bosch was a Roman Catholic, it is believed that he gives the lesson of people doing wrong and going to Hell, but when the piece is closed it shows God creating the world. Some believe that that could mean if we believe in the Lord, we will still go to Heaven even if we have sinned.
Conclusion
“The Garden of Earthly Delights” was a painting that said than every before. With the reformation of religion, many artists were able to create artistic pieces that said more than they were able to state prior to that time. There are many different meanings to this painting. It is all in the minds of the one seeing it, but one of the general conclusions are that without the reformation, Bosch would probably have been killed for this beautiful creation.
Reference:
Fiero, Gloria (2009), Landmarks in Humanities, McGraw-Hill
Friday, April 15, 2011
Classicism and the Titanic
“The Titanic” is a great movie to compare with Classicism in nearly every way. With it being based on characters, one event, and during one time period, it is the perfect classic movie. The characters are the biggest focus in the movie, which is one of the main points.
Rules of Unity
There are three rules of unities by Aristotle that need to be addressed in the search of comparing the Titanic with Classicism. The three rules are:
The unity of action: One main action that the movie follows. In the case of the Titanic, we follow Jack and Rose through the drama of the sinking of the Titanic. Though we also follow their personal problems, the action of the movie focuses on the Titanic sinking. This would qualify the Titanic in this area.
The unity of place: The movie should take place in one setting. In the Titanic, most of the film takes place on the ship. Though there are small parts that take place elsewhere, the bulk of the movie takes place on the ship.
The unity of time: The film will take place in twenty-four hours. Though the Titanic takes place over a days, the main focus is on the day of the sinking of the ship. Technical this would mean that it isn’t a part of this classification, but if we look at the day of the main focus, it would qualify.
Humanism
Humanism is the study of people through psychology and social science. In the Titanic we get to know Rose and Jack very well. We follow them through the trials and tribulations of Rose not only being taken by someone who is physically abusive, but in a higher social class than Jack. These things nearly stop the two from becoming a couple, but because of their feelings for each other, they become a couple through it all.
In this category, the other focus on classes is with everyone on the ship. The upper class was shown as being better than the lower class in the way they were treated. The lower class were last to get off the boat, had to be inspected to get on the boat, and had lower class rooms.
This would also go with the Unities of Aristotle in the belief that balance and harmony rule the universe. He believed that all people were not created equal and it would show when a person was born. This was shown in the way the upper and lower class were portrayed. The upper class believed that if a person was born rich, they should not be a part of the upper class. For example, Molly Brown was frowned upon by the upper class, because she came into money later in her life instead of being born into it.
Realism
Though the characters are fictional, the tragedy of the ship is real. This gives it a realistic base upon which the movie was made.
Symmetry
Since there was no equality between the people on the ship, the only symmetry would be the ship itself, possibly the smokestacks. Though the upper and lower class were not equal, Rose thought that Jack was her equal even though he was poor.
Idealism
Idealism is based on what should be or how a person wishes things were (http://www.yourdictionary.com/idealism), so in the case of the Titanic, both Jack and Rose wish that they were equal in status, that the world was all equal and that they could be together. They try to make things so between them no matter what people think, but in the end, because Jack is not of the upper class, he is sentenced to die when the ship goes down.
Conclusion
All in all, the Titanic was a good example of Classicism from each and every standard set forth. The unities of Aristotle are one of the biggest elements that show the connection between the movie and Classicism. The other standard of inequality also plays a big role in this movie. Overall the Titanic is a great classic movie.
References:
Classicism and the Titanic, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5554546/classicism_and_titanic_pg2.html?cat=38
Concepts of Classicism, http://www.justanswer.com/homework/2ppn8-does-titanic-movie-reflect-concepts-classicism.html
Classic Unities, http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Classical_unities
Idealism: Definition, http://www.yourdictionary.com/idealism
Rules of Unity
There are three rules of unities by Aristotle that need to be addressed in the search of comparing the Titanic with Classicism. The three rules are:
The unity of action: One main action that the movie follows. In the case of the Titanic, we follow Jack and Rose through the drama of the sinking of the Titanic. Though we also follow their personal problems, the action of the movie focuses on the Titanic sinking. This would qualify the Titanic in this area.
The unity of place: The movie should take place in one setting. In the Titanic, most of the film takes place on the ship. Though there are small parts that take place elsewhere, the bulk of the movie takes place on the ship.
The unity of time: The film will take place in twenty-four hours. Though the Titanic takes place over a days, the main focus is on the day of the sinking of the ship. Technical this would mean that it isn’t a part of this classification, but if we look at the day of the main focus, it would qualify.
Humanism
Humanism is the study of people through psychology and social science. In the Titanic we get to know Rose and Jack very well. We follow them through the trials and tribulations of Rose not only being taken by someone who is physically abusive, but in a higher social class than Jack. These things nearly stop the two from becoming a couple, but because of their feelings for each other, they become a couple through it all.
In this category, the other focus on classes is with everyone on the ship. The upper class was shown as being better than the lower class in the way they were treated. The lower class were last to get off the boat, had to be inspected to get on the boat, and had lower class rooms.
This would also go with the Unities of Aristotle in the belief that balance and harmony rule the universe. He believed that all people were not created equal and it would show when a person was born. This was shown in the way the upper and lower class were portrayed. The upper class believed that if a person was born rich, they should not be a part of the upper class. For example, Molly Brown was frowned upon by the upper class, because she came into money later in her life instead of being born into it.
Realism
Though the characters are fictional, the tragedy of the ship is real. This gives it a realistic base upon which the movie was made.
Symmetry
Since there was no equality between the people on the ship, the only symmetry would be the ship itself, possibly the smokestacks. Though the upper and lower class were not equal, Rose thought that Jack was her equal even though he was poor.
Idealism
Idealism is based on what should be or how a person wishes things were (http://www.yourdictionary.com/idealism), so in the case of the Titanic, both Jack and Rose wish that they were equal in status, that the world was all equal and that they could be together. They try to make things so between them no matter what people think, but in the end, because Jack is not of the upper class, he is sentenced to die when the ship goes down.
Conclusion
All in all, the Titanic was a good example of Classicism from each and every standard set forth. The unities of Aristotle are one of the biggest elements that show the connection between the movie and Classicism. The other standard of inequality also plays a big role in this movie. Overall the Titanic is a great classic movie.
References:
Classicism and the Titanic, http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5554546/classicism_and_titanic_pg2.html?cat=38
Concepts of Classicism, http://www.justanswer.com/homework/2ppn8-does-titanic-movie-reflect-concepts-classicism.html
Classic Unities, http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Classical_unities
Idealism: Definition, http://www.yourdictionary.com/idealism
A Modest Proposal
During the 18th century in Europe, the Age of Enlightenment wasn’t only a good thing for the population. With all of the new machinery and ideas, the city filled with starving, poverty-stricken people that couldn’t take care of themselves or their children.
Jonathan Swift was a minister that saw the harm that people did to each other, the pain that they caused each other, and the pain that children and parents went through during their life of poverty. He hated seeing the hurt. This drove him to become a writer of satire material, one that would get his point across in ways that would shock the average person.
In “Modest Proposal”, Jonathan Swift shows a strange fix to the problem of poverty. In the satire, he shocks people into seeing that there is always a fix to any problem, though some thought this might not have been the right way to go about it.
Age of Enlightenment
During the 18th century, it was noticed that the city was one of despair and poverty. The streets were “dirty, stinky, filthy, and slovenly, and the alleys were filled with beggars” (Fiero, pp.320). In the midst of the new machinery, the city not only progressed, but also was suddenly in peril. With machines like the spinning wheel and the flying shuttle, the Industrial Revolution was in full swing. This new revolution also brought on ‘unregulated capitalism, dangerous working conditions, and the exploitation of labor’ (Fiero, pp. 320). Children often had to live in poor living conditions and worked in factories for up to fourteen hours a day. People were paid poorly and worked long, hard hours.
In the midst of this “depression”, people spoke with more wit and satire than ever before. Jonathan Swift was one of them.
Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift was an Angelican Priest that believed that people were mostly corrupt and hated the human race. This view of people led him to write satirical works such as Gulliver’s Travels about the fortunes of a hero in an imaginary land (Fiero, pp 320) and the Modest Proposal.
Modest Proposal
The Modest Proposal was an essay, which was a proposal to find a fix to the problem of starving children and poor families. The problem of families that are too poor to feed and clothe their children was across the country. Swift’s proposal is to fatten up children to be sold to rich families for food. Being sold to meat markets would solve the problem of people starving. In effect, it would help fix the unemployment and economy. The parents would not have to support their children anything, they would receive money for them, and it would improve the food supply of the rich.
Swift is quick to tell about the number of children that could be sold, what their weight is, and how much money could be made by selling these children. He also offers ways in which to cook them and recipes for culinary masterpieces. His thought is that this will solve the economic and political problems of Ireland more than any other solution that has been tried.
Why Would He Write This
For the most part, Swift wrote this satire to show people that they shouldn’t only become beggars. They should go to work for what they need. He said that the other part of his proposal would stop abortions and murdering of parent’s own children. He wanted to stop the senselessness of starving children, begging parents, and the senseless murders of children. He also wanted to show that there is a real problem in this area that needs a real solution.
Conclusion
Jonathan Swift is a clergyman that was tired of seeing what people did to each other. He saw people as harmful to themselves and others, as lazy, as not taking care of their families. He saw people that were homeless, hungry, unclothed. He saw children that were starving, parents that were beggars, filth that filled the home and the streets. He wanted a solution to the problem. He wanted the Government to find a real solution to the problem, and in his irony wrote, “A Modest Proposal”. He felt his solution would do more for the people that anything that the Government had already tried. Though the Modest Proposal was a satire, he wanted them to see that a real solution needed to be found. In shocking people, he wanted them to see that there was a real problem.
References:
Fiero, Gloria (2009), Landmarks in Humanities, McGraw-Hill
A Modest Proposal (1729), Swift, Jonathan, http://art-bin.com/art/omodest.html
Spark Notes, A Modern Proposal (2011), http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/modestproposal/summary.html
Jonathan Swift was a minister that saw the harm that people did to each other, the pain that they caused each other, and the pain that children and parents went through during their life of poverty. He hated seeing the hurt. This drove him to become a writer of satire material, one that would get his point across in ways that would shock the average person.
In “Modest Proposal”, Jonathan Swift shows a strange fix to the problem of poverty. In the satire, he shocks people into seeing that there is always a fix to any problem, though some thought this might not have been the right way to go about it.
Age of Enlightenment
During the 18th century, it was noticed that the city was one of despair and poverty. The streets were “dirty, stinky, filthy, and slovenly, and the alleys were filled with beggars” (Fiero, pp.320). In the midst of the new machinery, the city not only progressed, but also was suddenly in peril. With machines like the spinning wheel and the flying shuttle, the Industrial Revolution was in full swing. This new revolution also brought on ‘unregulated capitalism, dangerous working conditions, and the exploitation of labor’ (Fiero, pp. 320). Children often had to live in poor living conditions and worked in factories for up to fourteen hours a day. People were paid poorly and worked long, hard hours.
In the midst of this “depression”, people spoke with more wit and satire than ever before. Jonathan Swift was one of them.
Jonathan Swift
Jonathan Swift was an Angelican Priest that believed that people were mostly corrupt and hated the human race. This view of people led him to write satirical works such as Gulliver’s Travels about the fortunes of a hero in an imaginary land (Fiero, pp 320) and the Modest Proposal.
Modest Proposal
The Modest Proposal was an essay, which was a proposal to find a fix to the problem of starving children and poor families. The problem of families that are too poor to feed and clothe their children was across the country. Swift’s proposal is to fatten up children to be sold to rich families for food. Being sold to meat markets would solve the problem of people starving. In effect, it would help fix the unemployment and economy. The parents would not have to support their children anything, they would receive money for them, and it would improve the food supply of the rich.
Swift is quick to tell about the number of children that could be sold, what their weight is, and how much money could be made by selling these children. He also offers ways in which to cook them and recipes for culinary masterpieces. His thought is that this will solve the economic and political problems of Ireland more than any other solution that has been tried.
Why Would He Write This
For the most part, Swift wrote this satire to show people that they shouldn’t only become beggars. They should go to work for what they need. He said that the other part of his proposal would stop abortions and murdering of parent’s own children. He wanted to stop the senselessness of starving children, begging parents, and the senseless murders of children. He also wanted to show that there is a real problem in this area that needs a real solution.
Conclusion
Jonathan Swift is a clergyman that was tired of seeing what people did to each other. He saw people as harmful to themselves and others, as lazy, as not taking care of their families. He saw people that were homeless, hungry, unclothed. He saw children that were starving, parents that were beggars, filth that filled the home and the streets. He wanted a solution to the problem. He wanted the Government to find a real solution to the problem, and in his irony wrote, “A Modest Proposal”. He felt his solution would do more for the people that anything that the Government had already tried. Though the Modest Proposal was a satire, he wanted them to see that a real solution needed to be found. In shocking people, he wanted them to see that there was a real problem.
References:
Fiero, Gloria (2009), Landmarks in Humanities, McGraw-Hill
A Modest Proposal (1729), Swift, Jonathan, http://art-bin.com/art/omodest.html
Spark Notes, A Modern Proposal (2011), http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/modestproposal/summary.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)