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The Middle Ages

Introduction to Humanities. The Middle Ages. Fun Facts. “The Dark Ages” is a term coined by Petrarch during the Renaissance Pagan vs. Infidel. Historical Context: Early Middle Ages. 476: Roman Empire dissolves 400-1000: “The Dark Ages” King Arthur (Late 400-Early 500)

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The Middle Ages

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  1. Introduction to Humanities The Middle Ages

  2. Fun Facts • “The Dark Ages” is a term coined by Petrarch during the Renaissance • Pagan vs. Infidel

  3. Historical Context:Early Middle Ages • 476: Roman Empire dissolves • 400-1000: “The Dark Ages” • King Arthur (Late 400-Early 500) • Beowulf (700-1000 AD) From Beowulf : Wise sir, do not grieve. It is always betterto avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning.For every one of us, living in this worldmeans waiting for our end. Let whoever canwin glory before death. When a warrior is gone,that will be his best and only bulwark.

  4. Historical Context: High & Late Middle Ages • 1066: Battle of Hastings • 1095-1291: Crusades • 1157-1216: King Richard & King John (Robin Hood) • 1215: Magna Carta • 1337-1453: Hundred Years’ War • 1412-1431: Joan of Arc • 1337-1351: Bubonic Plague Capetian Line (France) Norman/Angevin Line (England)

  5. Hundred Years’ War:Territory Lost & Gained 1337 1360

  6. Hundred Years’ War:Territory Lost & Gained 1429 1453

  7. Key Principles/Ideas • Christianity/Piety • Solidarity of church disintegrates throughout Middle Ages • Expansionism/Consolidation • Violence/Death • “Danse Macabre”

  8. Theology/Philosophy • Thomas Aquinas (1226-74) • Combines Aristotelian ideals and Christian principles • Reason and faith • John Wycliffe (1320-84) • Scholars of his teachings translate first English Bible • Investiture Controversy • Great Schism (1378)

  9. Government • Feudalism • Lords/Barons manage realms on behalf of king or on own • Fief • Plot of feudal land (like an acre lot…) • Lord/Baron • Reported to king • Oversaw regional territories • Vassal • Serves lord/baron • Provides counsel in various matters • Serf • Indentured servant • Manages land for lord in exchange for home

  10. Technology • Spinning Wheel • Possibly brought back from the Crusades • Thought of as women’s work, and is the origin of the term “spinster” • Printing Press • Johannes Guttenberg (c. 1450) • Books are now able to be printed en masse, rather than transcribed in monasteries • Potential correlation to the rise of universities and the slow decline in importance of monasteries • Becomes an agent of democracy, as more people are able to acquire books, leading to improved literacy • First books disseminated to public were largely bibles and other religious books, along with how-to manuals and etiquette books.

  11. Literature • The Divine Comedy • Dante (Alighieri) • “… through me you enter into the city of woesthrough me you enter into eternal pain,through me you enter the population of loss.…abandon all hope, you who enter here.”

  12. Literature Middle English Modern English And up the wyndowedide he hastily, And out his ers he puttethpryvelyOver the buttok, to the haunche-bon; And therwithspak this clerk, this absolon, Spek, sweetebryd, I nootnat where thou art. This nicholas anon leetfle a fart, As greet as it had been a thonder-dent, That with the strook he was almoostyblent; And so he opened window hastily,And put his arse out thereat, quietly,Over the buttocks, showing the whole bum;And thereto said this clerk, this Absalom,"O speak, sweet bird, I know not where thou art."This Nicholas just then let fly a fartAs loud as it had been a thunder-clap,And well-nigh blinded Absalom, poor chap; The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer

  13. Architecture Romanesque (1000 – 1200) Gothic (1150 – 1500) • Classic Principles • Symmetry • Round shapes • Arches, domes, and columns • Made of stone (marble) and wood • Emergent Principles • Decoration/ornamentation • Buttresses (but originally more structural than decorative) • Massive size • Classic Principles • Geometry • Light vs. darkness duality • Emergent Principles • Complexity (increased wealth) • Pointed arch • Spires • Ribboned vaults • Gargoyles • Stained glass • Choir

  14. Architecture Romanesque Pisa Cathedral Gothic Milan Cathedral

  15. Painting: Approaching Perspective Mosaic from San Vitale, Italy (500 AD) Unknown Creator Adoration of the Lamb (1432 AD) Hubert & Jan van Eyck

  16. Music • Monastic Chants • Monophony (One Melody) • Polyphony (Multiple Melodies) • Ordinary Mass • Kyrie • Gloria • Credo • Sanctus and Benedictus • Agnus Dei • Italian troubadors • Poets/minstrels • Lutes • Guido of Arezzo • Musical staff • Naming tones

  17. The Middle Ages in Modern Culture

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