Humanities Study Guide

Humanities Study Guide

Chapter 4: The Late Middle Ages

Overview Chapter 4 will explore the Gothic awakening and its impact on architecture that stands to this day. We will dive into the new musical schools and techniques developed during the middle ages. We will also look at the development of the theater and how it impacted the average person. Finally, we will witness how new philosophical thought challenged old ideas and shaped the world as we know it. Learning Objectives At the end of this chapter, you should be able to: • Describe the architectural significance of the Gothic awakening • Describe the evolution of music and the various new techniques invented during the era • Explain the purpose of theater and its new forms • Understand the new philosophical school of thought 4.1 The Gothic Awakening During the late Middle Ages, Europemoved from a feudal society tomore prominent kingdoms. There were holy wars, called the Crusades, throughout eastern parts of Europe, as the Christian church fought against the Islamic State to recover sacred lands. During the late Middle Ages, the Pope (the church) entered into a power struggle with the kings (the government). Due to the decline of feudalism, cities and towns became the new epicenters of life, compared to the separate estates of the early Middle Ages. People started building more schools and universities due to the ever-growing connection between education and higher esteem. The combined growth of education and the decline of feudalism created a new social class: the middle class. Architecture Featured in cathedrals, abbeys, castes, and parishes, Gothic architecture is some of the most renowned in history. Abbot Suger , who emphasized light and its beauty, was one of the leading influencers of the time. He believed that God could reveal himself through the gems and gold in the light. Gothic architecture has five essential characteristics: stained glass windows, pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and ornate decorations. Large, stained glass windows created by Suger came in two primary forms. Lancet windows had a pointed arch with intricate, stained glass paintings. Rose windows, like the ones featured on the Notre Dame, were circular windows with ornate, symmetrical designs. Pointed arches replaced the curved, Romanesque arches from before the early Middle Ages. Flying buttresses served as exterior supports of the ceiling's weight. Furthermore, Gothic architecture included more functional structures. A nave is a rectangular space

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