Augustine’s Influence on Medieval Historical Interpretation
Augustine and Historical Interpretation
The theory developed by Augustine of Hippo is presented in the seven books of Historiarum adversus paganos. His history is the story of a series of blame and punishment, merit and prizes, where seemingly random events find their explanation. Perhaps one of the most comprehensive ways to express the concept of providential history is found in the so-called Prophetic Chronicle, in which he explains, by the prophecies of Ezekiel, the entry of Muslims into the
Read MoreRenaissance Art Techniques and Terms Explained
Renaissance Art Techniques and Terms
Depth: A painting technique used in the Renaissance (15th century) to create the illusion of distance. It refers to the perceived distance of an element relative to a reference plane.
Composition: A technique used during the Renaissance (15th century) where figures were arranged in relation to the viewer’s eye level, often in a triangular formation.
Patrons: Individuals who financially supported artists, providing spiritual and material assistance. This practice
Read MoreSpanish Contemporary Novel: Trends and Traits
The Contemporary Spanish Novel
Civil War + Dictatorship + Misery = Novel as a subgenre that reflects hard realities.
- Between 1940 and 1970: Vital disappointment and anguish.
- 1970s onward: New program since the return of freedom.
The contemporary novel is divided into three main categories:
1. Existential Novel
This reflects the disappointment and anguish of the human being. It is influenced by the existential picaresque novel of the Golden Age and the legacy of Pío Baroja.
Themes:
- Human destinies: Characters’
Film Studies: Essential Concepts and Techniques
Film Form
- Analysis: Suspends judgment; breaks film into parts and explains how they work.
- Function: How something in a film works.
- Motivation: Why something is in a film (justification).
- Unity & Disunity: Connection between aspects of two pieces of film that fit remarkably well (e.g., Toto in *The Wizard of Oz*).
- Similarity & Repetition: Object, sound, or person that is repeated throughout the film.
- Motif: Any significant repeated element that contributes to the overall film (e.g., marigolds in
Understanding Literary Elements: Setting, Character, Plot & More
Literary Elements Explained
Setting: The time and place of a story or play. Setting can also contribute to the conflict in a story.
- Letting us hear the character speak.
- Describing how the character looks and dresses.
- Letting us listen to the character’s inner thoughts and feelings.
Masterpieces of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism
Rodin’s The Thinker
Key Aspects: Impressionism, bronze casting, sculpture.
Formal Analysis
The Thinker was initially conceived as part of a larger work, The Gates of Hell. The sculpture depicts a nude man in a deeply reflective pose, with exaggerated hands and feet. Despite the naturalism in the figure, Rodin’s intention was not merely to create a realistic depiction but to symbolize the tortured state of human thought and destiny. The feeling of life and movement is conveyed through the sculpture’
Read More