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:
The selection from "Oration of the Dignity of Man", and "The Imitaitons of
Christ" seem to give two very different views of humankind. Both selections
stay with the general theme of God as the most high but they offer different
viewpoints on where mankind fits in the world and how they shauld act.
The Imitaions of christ seems to look at man as very imperfect and points to
despise outward things, things being manmade or natural. Of the Dignity of man
does nothing but praise man and his abilities, this selection cites how man can
use his God given abilities to reach a higher state in accordance with God's
rules. These views are demonstrated in the film "The Name of the Rose" through
characters like William of Bascaville and Yorgi. William seems to ecbrace the
view of man being a creature who should use all his abilities in everyday life,
he does not shun man made things like his eyeglasses or his books, or science
for that matter. Yorgi, on the other hand, puts all his efforts into making
sure that the munks avoid these things, as well as laughter. I think the
majority of the characters in the film would take the view of mankind and
mankinds place and purpose in life presented in "Imatations". Thomas a Kempis
,I think, sees the prupose of life as to merely prepare for death. "Imatations"
tells how man must humble himself in order to gain heaven. Mirandola in his
"Oration" goes out of his way to point out the abilities of humans and cites how
God gave man the ability to make of himself whatever he willed. Mirandola
points out in "Orations" that man should use the faculties given to him