The Dark Ages a Prelude to Light and Renaissance Essay

The Dark Ages - a Prelude to Light and Renaissance - Essay Example Another was the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans which marked the historical ending of the Middle Ages. But major developments in art and architecture were one of the key features during this period. An attempt is made to review the art and architecture during this period loosely based on Laurie Schneider Adam’s book ‘A History of Western Art.’ Proposed review will follow the art and architecture during the early Christian era, followed by the influence of Byzantine culture. Islamic and Ottoman influence is covered next after which the Roman style that was seen during the period will be reviewed. Next comes the Gothic style and the building of the many great cathedrals that one sees in Europe. Even though referred to as the dark ages, many developments that evolved during the Renaissance period had its base in the Middle Ages. Hence this period is very relevant in a humanities course. One institution that held on strongly after the fall of the Roman Empire was the undivided Christian church. Christians were allowed open worship by the Edict of Milan which ultimately resulted in the religion becoming very widespread. Christian architecture flourished during the early days of the Middle Ages and was characterized by two types of structures namely a longitudinal basilica and the centralized baptistery. â€Å"The exteriors of Early Christian buildings were plain and unadorned and the interiors contrarily were richly decorated with marble floors and wall slabs, frescoes, mosaics, metal works, hangings, and sumptuous altar furnishings in gold and silver.† (Early Christian Art). Some examples include the churches of San Stefano Rotondo and the Baptistery of Constantine. Byzantine art and architecture were greatly influenced by Rome because the cultural and social foundation of that great city was undeniable Roman. But most monuments during this period were also greatly influenced by East European architecture and the Hellenized East.

The Waterboy Reaction Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Waterboy Reaction Paper - Essay Example Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler wrote the film; it acts as a motivator to surpass the general parameter of mundane perceptions of possible and impossible. It retells the story of immense possibilities imbibed within an individual who just needs certain extra efforts and a little bit of courage to surface out. Thesis Statement This essay intends to explore the reaction that evolves in the mind of a man after watching this film and the nature and amount of motivation the film exercises on the mind of the audience watching it. Water Boy: A Reflection Characters and situations appearing on the silver screen are always very fascinating. Hardly any hero of a film or a novel confronts defeat. However, in real life the situations are always very different. At a pragmatic plane, therefore it is very tough always to relate to the characters of the reel life. Bobby, the protagonist of the film, â€Å"The Water Boy† at the outset of the film is projected as a character very clumsy and unacce ptable. He is shown undergoing the immense teasing of his fellow boys who are regular players in the football team. He is over protected by his mother who makes him more effeminate and weak. However, nobody ever tries to peep into the nobility of the boy, who chooses to supply water to his classmates playing for the football team after hearing that his father died of dehydration in the Sahara desert while serving in the Peace Corps. He undergoes all the humiliation to provide water to the boys whom he feels need it and in his own little way tries to pacify his mind by quenching the thirst of others. From this act of the boy, his mental convictions are indicated. He is a very determined person and he never gave up whatever he liked although he faced a lot of humiliation from his classmates and often chiding from the head coach, Red Beaulieu played by Jerry Red accusing him of disrupting the practice unnecessary. These situations in the film are conceived on a pragmatic line of action and thought process and motivate a human mind to a great extent. A dejected and a deprived person best comprehends the pang and the pain of another deprived and dejected person. As it is said, one is not able to feel the pang of a sore toe unless he puts the feet inside the shoe. The character of Coach Klein performed by Henry Winkler appears as the catalyst to the process of metamorphosis that takes place in Bobby’s life. He understands his ability and approaches Coach Klein, who mentors him to become one of the most aggressive linebackers attacking the opponent players continuously with ferocity almost like a superhuman. The deprivation and humiliation of long drawn years, which could have acted as a prominent flow of negative energy in Bobby, actually was manipulated by Bobby as his aggression, which he used to develop his attacking skill in the football ground. At the same time, coach Klein was able to give a good reply to the coach Beaulieu by training and transforming a mere water boy of his team to one of the most valued and attacking players of the opposite team. The film â€Å"Water Boy† is very motivating because it shows the perfect balance of a professional and personal life, which is a very important factor of the contemporary world. Bobby achieves a great development in his career as a player. He transforms himself completely. However, this change does not bring any kind of pride of self-glory in him. He knows how to balance his personal and professional life. Bobby follows the exact