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:
There is something incredibly beautiful and simple about Thomas a Kempis's "Imitation of Christ." Passages such as this, "Many things as yet trouble thee and displease thee, for thou art not yet dead to thyself nor parted from all earthly things; nothing so defouleth and entangle men's hearts as impure love in created things." are at once a guide to medieval existence, as well as an eery proverb that rings very true in todays society.
The medieval view that God is perfect, and man is static in all things except his relationship with God, is evident in the movie "The Name of the Rose." The monks forbid laughter and any pleasure that interferes with internal solitude and respect for God. Man, according to the monks and medieval beliefs in general, was put on the earth to suffer and to humbly endure lifes hardships in order to gain salvation. Man's reward is in the afterlife, not here on earth. Due to the monks ignorance, they were quick to attribute the mysterious events as acts of the devil. However, it was the evil intentions of the monastaries leaders, including Jorge and the abbot, as well as Bernardo Gui, who conspired to murder in order to prevent the release of humor as seen in Aristotles manuscript. They were most responsible for abusing a Kempis vision.
According to Fiero, the major social event(s) which served as a catalyst for the renaissance, was the plague. Due to labor shortages which led to civil uprisings, the feudal system was severely damaged. Also, since the black death
was so particularly frightening and puzzeling, the church, dealing with labor shortages of its own, was unable to serve as a pillar of hope for the people. This along with the corrupt Avignon papacy, and the Great schism, lead to a drastic decline in people's faith in the church, and along with it their prescriptions for a medieval existence. Political systems as well were affected, thanks in large part to the hundred years war. Revolutionary changes in art, literature, and the sciences, all leaned towards increasing realism, and abandoned idyllic medieval beliefs.
It is no wonder then that a Kempis visions were met with skepticism and revision by the new renaissance man. Pico della Mirandola personified this new change in human views and presribed lifestyles. Man was now forced to take matters into his own hands. God had not endowed us with all of our superoir talents to be used for nothing! We, man, are second to none! And it is our choice, our God given will, to do as we see fit.
William of Baskerville in many ways was an example of this new man. While it is certain that he was a humble, pious christian, he also saw it his duty to make use of his God given intellect to solve the mysterious murders. In many instances during the movie, William is close to shouting, much like Brunelleschi who yearned to build the dome, "trust me to bring right, I alone can rectify this situation!" He champions the ability of man while not undermining the importance of God.
The transformation from the medieval life to the renaissance man was an astonishing one. The contrasting views were shown very clearly in the movie the "Name of the Rose." The reason for the change was a logical sequence of events, all of which shared the underlying theme- the plague.