The Renaissance and Humanism Essay -- Exploratory Essays Research Pape

The Renaissance and HumanismYou may wonder about, The Renaissance and its relationship to an otherwise term, humanism which fits into the same time period. If you check the dictionary, you give find that twain terms deal be used in a broad sense or more specifically. Humanism refers generally to a devotion to the humanities literary culture. (My definitions come from Websters Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary). According to that definition we should all be humanists. The other general meaning is the peerless that disturbs the fundamentalists who attack secular humanism a doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values especially a philosophy that usually rejects supernaturalism and stresses an individuals dignity and worth and capacity for self-realization through reason. This definition places human beings at the center of the universe, capable of finding their way by human reason without the help of a supernatural God. It comes under attack from two side s--on one hand by those who defend religious values, on the other by some members of the scientific community who see humans as a kind of accident in a world without purpose. Humanism can also refer to a specific happening in history the revival of classical letters, individualistic and critical spirit, and emphasis on secular concerns symptomatic of the Renaissance. The phrase characteristic of the Renaissance shows how ambivalent is the relationship between the two terms, humanism and Renaissance. In other words, which term is the broader, encompassing the other? We associate both with the revival or rebirth of Greco-Roman civilization. Both have been broadened to include more than that. The more specific meaning of the Renaissa... ...oser to Erasmus position. Perhaps Mennonites have tended to teach embroider and live by works. Grierson suggests that Spensers Fairie Queene comes closest to the spirit of Luther because of its emphasis on grace whereas Miltons Paradise Lost and P aradise Regained reminds us of Erasmas--of the responsibility of humankind to make a new earth (26). In conclusion, I believe that each generation must examine the conflict (real or imagined) between the desire for amusement and religion, for the answers be neither simple nor abstract. Each renaissance period requires a reworking of our responses. Works CitedAbrams, M. H., ed. The Norton Anthology of English literary works. Vol I. 5th Ed. New York W.W. Norton, 1986. Grierson, Herbert. Cross-Currents in 17th Century English Literature The World, he Flesh, and the Spirit. New York Harper & Brothers, 1958.

Comparing the Characters in Laurents West Side Story and Shakespeare

Meshing Together of Characters in Arthur Laurents tungsten Side Story and Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet The meshing of characters between Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet and Bernsteins West Side Story formulate significant similarities between the two. In Romeo and Juliet the story of Two households both alike in dignity, (Montagues and Capulets) who have been feuding is parallel to the two gangs in West Side Story (Jets and Sharks). This grouping of loyalties keeps the segregation of the two groups at a dead lock, thus producing the tension that keeps the two lovers in each recreate (Romeo and Juliet, Tony and Maria) in the unattainable, intangible realm of their expansive love. It is these two groupings that cause the star-crossed lovers to forfeit their lives in Romeo and Juliets instance and costs Tony his life in his and Marias love. Why do these groups feud and keep love bound by hatred? How are these groups alike in their intent? What are the similarities between the le aders of the groups or gangs in both Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story? The hatred of diversity is what created these groupings, binding them to love their hate.In Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet the conflict between the Montagues and the Capulets is kept heated by the servants. Montague Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach? Speak, nephew were you by when it began?Benvolio Here were the servants of your adversary And yours, close fighting ere I did approach. I displace to part them. In the instant came The fiery Tybalt with his sword prepared (Shakespeare 875). The servants uphold the ancient grudge that has plagued the houses of Montague and Capulet. The older men of the two househol... ... segregation limits on divergent cultures and households keeps us away from death. West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet cover up this message of segregation by bleeding the characters together and putting the idea of idealistic love in the forbears of the main ch aracters. This cover up causes us to analyze their love and relationship and separate relationships with the other characters rather than see the picture for what it is. neer was there a story of more woe than that of Racism and what we KnowWorks Cited Laurents, Arthur. West Side Story. (A medicinal drugal, based on a conception of Jerome Robbins music by Leonard Bernstein lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.) NY Random House, 1966.Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Volume I. Ed. W. G. Clark and W. Aldis Wright. NY Nelson Doubleday, Inc., 247-277.