Humanities & Classics 1002
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Renaissance Forum
Humanities & Classics 1002 |
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In Reply to: PLEASE POST YOU FIRST REQUIRED POSTING AS A REPLY TO THIS posted by TOM BACIG on December 13, 1998 at 19:30:06:
Throughout the Renaissance and during Medieval times new ideas and views about humanity were developed. This period brought out many different views, some that were similar and mostly in agreement, and some other views radically contrasted the writings of other authors. Two such contrasting views were presented by the author's Thomas a Kempis and Pico della Mirandola. The contrasting views which were so long ago presented by these author's are demonstrated by the characters and events in the film "The Name of the Rose." This is done openly in some areas of the film through disagreements between the monks and through some of their actions, and it is also done symbolically through the characteristics of the different monks portrayed in the film.
Thomas a Kempis, the author(maybe) of "The Imitation of Christ" was a German monk of the Augustinian Order. His work was translated from the Latin language into all other Christian languages, and has been read for almost 500 years now. "The Imitation of Christ" presents a view of finding god and therefore eternal peace by looking into yourself , into your own soul to find the kingdom of Heaven that is within you.
"Turn thyself to God with all thine heart and forsake this
wretched world and thy soul shall find rest."(Kempis)
Kempis views this world as a place full of sin waiting for wicked men to be tempted by it. This life is for suffering and sorrow in order to find the lord within ourselves. One must love Jesus and look inward to be free from inordinate affections in order to turn himself to God and to lift himself above himself where he can then rest joyously. In "The Name of the Rose" Jorge is symbolic of this view of humanity. His blind eyes symbolize his inward looking beliefs. He is also of the belief that suffering is the way to keep faith in god. To make light of situations and express happiness, especially through laughter is one of the ultimate evil deeds. Laughter is forbidden within his monastery and those who do not comply are punished or scolded. Jorge is so intent on suppressing laughter that he is even willing to poison/murder those who try to understand and justify such an act.
In contrast to Kempis, Pico della Mirandola the author of "Oration on the Dignity of Man" embraces humanity. He believes that humanity is the chosen of God. Humans are the Kings of all lower beings, only slightly beneath angels. Men he believes are a great miracle and a wonderful being. Man is intelligent and creative, but god created some of everything so while men are beautiful, they may also be of an inconstant nature, but with the choice to become what we would want to be. The character in "The Name of the Rose" who symbolizes this view of humanity of William of Baskerville. He embraces humanity and tries to find the good in every person. He is willing to look past the sins of the flesh in order to learn from these mistakes to be closer to god. William also embraces the intelligent and creative nature of humanity and embellishes in the wonders of the world around him. He applies his own intelligence to see past appearances and find the truth in every situation. Also, in contrast to Jorge, his Franciscan Order embraces laughter for the happiness it brings to humankind.
Many different views were brought forth through the period of the Renaissance and Medieval times. These are just two contrasting views from this period. Although both views have some merit and much can be learned from them both, I would have to put my tendencies toward Pico della Mirandola. Perhaps this is because I am a product of the environment in which I came from, but to be happy and to embrace the gifts god has given humanity seems a much more rational view of the world than to ignore all that we have been given and live a life of misery, sorrow, and chastity.