Middle Ages vs Renaissance Art Periods Essay Example for Free

Middle Ages vs Renaissance Art Periods Essay When seeking two art periods to compare and contrast, fewer artistic examples provide a starker depiction of radically changing ideas and mentality than the art of the Middle Ages against that of art from the Renaissance. First, art originating from the Middle Age will be thoroughly analyzed for context. Afterward, art from the Renaissance period art will be analyzed next to it for its departures on from Middle Age techniques and thinking, before the two are finally systematically compared and contrasted. First, art from the Middle Ages, also called art from the Medieval period, characterized a European period of little social change, general poverty, and few scientific advances. The Catholic Church remained an imposing force upon Midieval society, and dominated much of daily life. Art clearly served the role of worship above all else, and the Catholic Church actually commissioned much of the artwork of the period. Much of this art filled churches and monasteries, and took the form of sculptures, paintings and drawings, stained-glass windows, metalwork and mosaics, among other forms. The iconographical nature of the art is substantial, as it above all served the purpose of perpetuating the Catholicism of the early church. It was largely confined to Europe and areas that the Byzantine and Roman empires had once occupied, such as parts of northern Africa. It lasted almost a thousand years, from approximately around 500 C.E. to perhaps as late as 1400 C.E. The depictions within the art reflected its purpose – worship. Religious icons such as saints, the Virgin Mary, Jesus and his disciples, and other depictions provided clarity and images for believers. The images portrayed onto the media arguably reflect the times, lacking in brightness, movement, or attitude. The characters shown rarely appear upbeat. An excellent example that validates some of these generalities is Pietro Cavallini’s The Last Judgment. This painting in the Santa Cecilia in Rome uses drab colours to show what appears to be an angry Jesus overlooked by six angels, three on each side. While a beautiful work of art no doubt, the painting has little passion or movement and does not inspire anything more than fear from a fiery God. This Medieval Art from the Middle Ages contrasts sharply with the Renaissance-era works in many key ways. First, Renaissance Art, while not entirely secular to be sure, had certain overtones of the humanism sweeping Europe. Next, its style exuberates brightness, passion, and an appetite for life that cannot be found easily in Middle Age art. Renaissance Art effectively superseded and ended art period progressing during the Middle Ages, and this mirrored social trends of increasing wealth and prosperity, upward mobility, and technological advances of the time. While no doubt heavily influenced by the preceding art of the Middle Ages and often building off of some of its topic such as Christianity, Renaissance Art has a strong hint of humanism which afflicted its artists. This philosophy sought to change the nature of man’s relationship with God to exist outside the church’s realm, and the â€Å"Renaissance men† often meaning that these artists were not only artists but commonly philosophers and scientists as well. Michelangelo, who was a painter, architect, poet, engineer, and sculptor, exemplified these characteristics. His masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel, The Last Judgment, provides us a great comparison to Cavallini’s work on the same topic and contrasts the vastly different techniques and focuses of the two art periods. While Cavallini’s work lacks a variety of colours and could be described even as plain, Michelangelo’s work gives a clear view into his mind’s eye, filled with numerous angels and men moving through the heavens. While Jesus is still at the top and the Madonna next to him seems to cower in fear at his wrath, many nonetheless are lifted upward. The bright colours, quick movements, and in fact original nakedness of the characters (later covered up, at the church’s request) reflect the technique and thought process of Renaissance-era art. So taking the topic of the Last Judgment, the second coming of Christ as a comparison subject matter for extrapolation between Medieval and Renaissance art periods, the Renaissance’s brightness, liveliness and energy shine clearly. First, we saw that Middle Age art was dreary, using drab colours and little dynamism that reflected the harsh realities of life in Europe at the time. Second, Renaissance Art ended this period with the new opportunities and advances made during the Renaissance, reflected in art from the period. Multitalented Renaissance men of the period such as Michelangelo contributed simultaneously to multiple artistic fields at once. Their art reflected the optimism of the times, the great advances being made philosophically and technologically, and their work captured their excitement for mankind’s newfound humanist relationship with God. What was once seen as an angry God hell-bent on punishment was now an opportunity for a chance into the heavens, and often Renaissance Art was even entirely secular, such as masterpieces like the Mona Lisa. Therefore, the Renaissance period of art departed from the Middle Ages period of Medieval Art not simply in technique or media, but also in subject matter, philosophy, and use. The art periods correspondingly reflected their equivalent time frame as either bleak and dowdy or upbeat and energetic. References Finnan, V. (2013). The last judgement. Retrieved from http://www.italian-renaissance-art.com/Last-Judgement.html Gortais, B. (2003). Abstraction and art. Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences , 358(14-135), 1241-1249 . Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3558216 The last judgement. (2001). Retrieved from http://www.lib-art.com/artgallery/8284-the-last-judgement-pietro-cavallini.html

Presentation of Black Characters in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee :: Free Essay Writer

Presentation of Black Characters in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ‘To kill a Mockingbird’ is a story by Harper Lee. It is about Racial Segregation and the supernatural, it is based in a time and in a place that was very racist, where people put White trash above good black people. It is based in Maycomb, (It is a small town created by Harper lee the author of the book. In the book it describes the town as small and old, and it says the day seems more than 24 hours because everything moves slower there. This town is actually based on the author’s hometown, Monroeville, Alabama.) Alabama, in the 1930’s. This essay will discuss to you about all the main black characters in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and how they are presented in this story, it will be focusing mainly on the following black characters: Tom Robinson (the man who is on trial in this story.), Calpurnia and Reverend Sykes. I will also talk about how the book was based in the depression, and how in that time, the blacks were good law-abiding people, but yet they were still treated as second class citizens. In the story Calpurnia or ‘Cal’ is presented as a very intelligent black person, she is educated (she can read) for one, and she is a good person at heart as well, and also she has Atticus’s respect. And also as we see in the book she leads an almost ‘double life’ when she is among the Finch family and other white people she speaks proper English, but when she is among her own people she speaks using a lot of slang and cuts words short. for example: sure enough, she says sho’ nuf’. She is also the mother of Zeebo; a full grown man who is married and reads out the sermons at church. She also acts as a motherly figure in (as she is always there; she cooks for the Finch family.) Scout’s life and they have a love-hate relationship, until scout starts school, and then it eases a little. In an argument with Aunt Alexandra, Atticus also insists that Calpurnia is part of the family. Also in the story is Tom Robinson he is presented as a good person with a pure heart, he is a sharecropper on a cotton farm, and each day on his way home he passes the Ewell household, I believe he is also brave because he accepted his fate; all human beings must die sooner or later, not many people I know would accept that. He also has his

The Man of Justice: To Kill a Mockingbird

He never yelled at the two, or abused them by physical punishment. Tactics also never bragged about how he could do many things, like shoot a gun, which may have taught the children a lot. Tactics woke up one day to see his neighbors house on fire. He tells Jam and Scout to wait by the Raddled house, because Miss Media's home is in a dangerous state. While the children watched the house burn from the Raddled', they spotted their brave dad run into the house to grab something. L saw Tactics carrying Miss Media's heavy oak rocking chair, and thought it was sensible of him to save what she most valued† (Lee 93). Tactics had the courage to run into a burning house to save a neighbor's favorite rocking hair in the freezing cold! The Old Sacrum Bunch came to the prison where Tom Robinson was held; (with rifles and weapons), and Tactics wouldn't accept their orders. The children were watching their father sitting in front of the jail with a light and a book, when many cars then came b y.Tactics began speaking to the group and they asked â€Å"ahoy know what we want' another man said. ‘Get aside the door Mr.. Finch'† (Lee 202). Tactics courageously replied by stating mayo can turn around and go home, Walter (Lee 202). This is only one of the things Tactics has done for Tom Robinsons safety and comfort. Tactics was put in a situation where he had to shoot a dog to save his neighbors. This started when Jam and Scout were trying to find some wildlife to shoot at when, they spot Tim Johnson (a dog).He was acting weird, so the children ran to their nanny, California, and told her about the situation. She later called Tactics and told him to come because of this animal. Sheriff Heck Tate and Tactics came out Of the car with a rifle. Tactics is handed the gun and shoots Jim Johnson. Tactics later states to the child â€Å"don't you go near that dog you understand? Don't go near him, he's just as dangerous dead as alive†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ (Lee 128). Tactics is a brave hero that has done many things to improve others' joy, like when he let Mr..

Romeo And Juliet Essay On Fate - 933 Words

Henry Miller, a 20th-century American writer, once said that â€Å"We create our fate every day . . . most of the ills we suffer from are directly traceable to our own behavior.†(Miller). Miller is linked a person’s free will to their fate. In Romeo and Juliet, the two main characters have a set fate from the very beginning. The play is about two feuding families, the Montagues, and the Capulets. Juliet is a Capulet and Romeo is a Montague. Juliet and Romeo are two teenagers that decided to get married. Neither of their families knows, because of these Capulet arranges for Juliet to marry Paris. In the end, Romeo and Juliet end up killing themselves. The main device used in the play is character. In Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare uses†¦show more content†¦Romeo is free will only bring upon his fate, to die. Juliet is married to Romeo, however, her father, Capulet, does not know. Capulet arranges for Juliet to marry Paris. Juliet goes to Friar Lawrence be cause she does not wish to betray her husband, but must also marry Paris. He gives her a vial that contains a potion that will make it seem as if she is dead, but in fact, she will be practically asleep for 42 hours. She receives the vial and contemplates whether or not to use it. In contemplation, she pleads for â€Å"the heavens to smile upon my state†(4.3.4, Shakespeare). She is afraid and is given a sense that she is frail, though this language.She pleads with God to help her to go through what must be done. She asks for God to change her fate in such a way that she will live to see Romeo again. The word â€Å"heavens† can also be taken as fate itself, in this case, she is pleading that her fate is a pleasant one, one where she is happy. Juliet drinks the potion, everyone now assumes she is dead. Romeo learns of her death. He then wants goes to her tomb. He goes off to an apothecary to purchase a poison. He does this because he wishes to â€Å"defy you stars!† (5.1.24, Shakespeare). Again the stars are fate, and Romeo thinks he is defying fate by dying. It is not very clear but can be seen that Romeo is not someone who loves lightly. He hears his love has died and all he wants to do is be reunited with her. Through this, the reader can see that Romeo is a passionateShow MoreRelatedFate In Romeo and Juliet Essay1169 Words   |  5 PagesRomeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, is a famous tragic love story that bases on a young couple from the rival families, the Montagues, and the Capulets, in which the death of the young couple finally end the ‘ancient grudge’ between the two families. Their result of death is believed to be cause mostly by the fate, which brings them closer and closer to their inevitable destiny, death. In many places in the play Shakespeare also uses words like ‘fortune’, ‘sail’, ‘stars’ to reveal that fateRead MoreRomeo and Juliet Fate Essay1103 Words   |  5 Pages‘Shakespeare intends the audience to see that the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet was destined to happen’ In the play, Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare, is about two â€Å"star crossed† lovers who are destined to end in a tragic accident. Fate is the path that leads to the future and cannot be altered no matter the outcome. Set in Shakespearean time, fate was believed to be in control of people’s lives. The fact that Romeo and Juliet would never live a peaceful life, none of the tragedies wouldRead MoreEssay On Fate In Romeo And Juliet1271 Words   |  6 PagesThe play â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† is a story of romance and conflict, the two lovers stuck in the middle of their families’ feud, their love for each other and their families’ hatred to one another, causes both of them to lay dead on a Thursday night. But, there is a huge question on what led to the lovers’ fate. In fact, this question does not just appear in Romeo and Juliet, but in everyday life. What if everything you ever loved was dependent on fate? Maybe you have the fr ee will to change that? CouldRead MoreThe Role of Fate in Romeo and Juliet Essay507 Words   |  3 PagesIn the book Romeo Juliet by William Shakespeare, fate plays a large role in moving the plot along. It does this by bringing people together. Fate also plays a role in a couple people’s deaths, including the main characters, Romeo and Juliet. The bringing of people together by fate played a huge role in moving along Romeo and Juliet’s plot. A great example of this is how Romeo’s â€Å"true love† Rosaline has vowed to remain chaste her whole life. This makes Romeo more open to dating someone else.Read MoreThe Results of Fate In Romeo and Juliet Essay1050 Words   |  5 PagesFate is a hidden, but unavoidable force that leads to certain consequences in people’s lives. The theme of fate plays a crucial role in the main characters of the play, Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet share a destiny that dooms them to tragic deaths immediately after the exchange of their zealous love. Despite their resolute attempts to challenge their destiny, the lovers still succumb to the inexorable powers of fate. In the Shakespearean play, Romeo and Juliet, the principleRead MoreEssay on Fate in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet1096 Words   |  5 PagesFate in William Shakespeares Rom eo and Juliet When William Shakespeare wrote ‘Romeo Juliet’ he told a tale of â€Å"A pair of star crossed lovers†. The role of fate plays an important role in the play. The themes of conflict, love, revenge, religion destiny all tie in with the role of fate. Romeo Juliet were both born into and â€Å"ancient grudge† fuelled by two formidable families, the Capulets and Montagues. Fate plays a very important role in the play, and at theRead More Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will? Essay example543 Words   |  3 PagesRomeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will? The play Romeo and Juliet was one of the most famous love tragedies ever written. This love story unfortunately had a fatal ending. Many people argue over why the lovers had died, was it over Free Will or Fate? The death of Romeo and Juliet was partially because of free will. The fact that Romeo and Juliet got married knowing that there was a bitter feud between their families, the Montague and Capulet’s. This feud brought on many problems, such as theRead MoreFate in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay817 Words   |  4 PagesFate in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, written by the ever-famous William Shakespeare, is an eloquent story of passionate love between two teenage individuals of a time long ago. These individuals, Romeo and Juliet, fall helplessly in love with each other, in spite of the fact that their families, both upper class, have been enemies for generations. The two lovers therefore strive to maintain their ardent bond with each otherRead More Fate in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay1094 Words   |  5 Pagesnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Fate, for better or worse, interrupts everyone’s daily life, whether he/she chooses to acknowledge it or not. Thinking about fate conjures up different feelings for different people; some people believe strongly in it, some people think of fate as ridiculous, and some do not care one way or the other. However, in many instances, such as in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, far too many coincidences occur to be strictly coincidental. Fate creates a powerfulRead MoreEssay about Romeo and Juliet Fate or Free Will852 Words   |  4 PagesApril 2012 Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will? In Shakespearse’s classic play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the two star-crossed lovers created one of the most notorious tragedies known to man. Romeo and Juliet met as an act of a single force known as fate. Fate is the idea used to describe a circumstance when it is meant to happen; fate is the living body responsible for controlling everything, except the decisions you personally make. Act I indefinitely demonstrates Romeo and Juliet met as