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:
In the writings of Thomas a Kempis "Imitations of Christ" and Pico della Mirandola "The Diginity of Man", there is a breakthrough of evidence that shows indefinitely the different views of the medieval times and the beginnings of the Renaissance times.
Thomas a Kempis writes about the medieval times in "Imitations of Christ" as living a life as one totally devoted to God. You must follow the ways of God, and there are no questions asked. It seems as though during these times, you either lived as a monk or a hard working life that was done so in a way that everything you did was for Christ. If your life was not devoted to God, then there was something about you that the devil had taken over and you were to be condemed for it, this was most likely the person's life that was taken due to their very own beliefs.
Look at the movie "In the Name of the Rose", if you were not living a "monksa" life or leading a life devoted to God, then you were thought of as a devil worshipper or a witch. People were not able to speak their point of views, and if they did, then death was the punishment. Books were hidden due to people speaking too freely and were put away so the public could not form new thoughts about the way it was. If the books were found and read, then those who read it were punished by death for it. And instead of just destroying the books, the monk wanted to punish those who were intriguied about learning about new things, so they were poisoned because they were going against his beliefs.
In "The Dignity of Man" by Pico della Mirandola, the renaissance views started to come alive! He spoke of man being able to live a life of free speech and should be able to say what they want without being punished for it. And if people liked their views then fine, if they didn't then that was fine too, everyone has a freedom of choice in their beliefs. Mirandola studied all aspects of life in his writing. He still believed in God and that God was the almighty Creator of the Universe and all that comes with it, but God also made man to decide for himself of what he wanted to believe in. "Man can rightfully claim for themselves, and this is the pprivelege of highest admiration" was written in this piece. Mirandola also believed that the mind was one of the strongest tools a man possesses. He should use it to the fullest extent and never hold back.
From these writings, they truly show the differences between medieval and renaissance times. The renaissance started the democratic way of life we live now, and was so full of life and wonderful talented people who helped to get the world public thinking freely and expressing feelings and thoughts. This is just a wonderful way of life!!