View
4.390
Download
3
Category
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
This is the work of James Gordon and must not be copied without permission.
Citation preview
Comparative Study of Text and Context
Exploring Connections
Richard III, William ShakespeareLooking for Richard by Al Pacino
Compare: To examine in order to note the similarities
or differences of text, context & values:
Humanism
Humanism: affirms the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to
determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities—particularly reason.
In focusing on the capacity for self-determination, humanism rejects transcendental justifications, such as a dependence on faith, the supernatural, or divinely revealed texts.
The crisis of Renaissance humanism came with the trial of Galileo (1632), which forced the choice between reason and faith. The trial made the contradictions between humanism and traditional religion visibly apparent to all, and humanism was branded a "dangerous doctrine".
Why dangerous?
Man has replaced God.
Without God, without a transcendental law, there is only death.
Renaissance man created himself: Humanism values…
Self-determination Free-will Honour & Integrity Reason Emancipation
Shakespeare created Richard III within this context.
Humanism has come full circle (360 years) between 1602 – 1964 and has had a profound impact on:
Politics Philosophy Religion Society Culture
The profound paradigm shift that European culture faced with the birth of humanism is matched by the challenge of the twentieth century and the death
of humanism.
Humanist values have become their opposite.
From_______to_________ Self-determination Free-will Honour & Integrity
Reason Emancipation
Conformity Determinism Degradation &
Decay Irrationality Obedience
…life is absurd and horrible!
Politics produced: Fascism Communism Total war Nationalism Totalitarianism
Philosophy produced: Existentialism Angst Dread Relativism Postmodernism
Society produced: Suburbs The middle class Supermarkets Mass education Freeways Recreational drugs Convenience
Artists responded by creating: The absurd Cubism Surrealism
The two texts have a relationship: Text: exploration & treatment of DEATH.
Characters & society’s attitude to DEATH. Context: Humanism. Values: Self-determination / Conformity
Free-will / DeterminismHonour & Integrity / Degradation & Decay
Reason / Irrationality Emancipation / Obedience
Recommended