“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
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