How Did the Culture of the Spanish Reflect Their Worldview?
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- Bu səhifədəki naviqasiya:
- R e l i g i o u s B e l i e f s a n d P r a c t i c e
- T h e A r t s L i t e r a t u r e
- A rc h i t e c t u r e a n d S c u l p t u r e
- P a i n t i n g
- R E F L E C T A N D R E S P O N D T h e S p a n i s h M e a s u r e m e n t o f Ti m e
- G r e g o r i a n C a l e n d a r
| How Did the Culture of the Spanish Reflect Their Worldview? Until the 13th century, the culture of much of Spain was influenced by Moorish rule. Spain was one of the most cultured and literate societies in western Europe. Christian, Jewish, and Muslim scholars had all contributed to Spain’s reputation as one of the learning centres of the then-known world. However, by 1265, only Granada in southern Spain remained under the control of the Moors. After the Reconquista ended in 1492, when Jews and Muslims were driven from Spain, the culture of Spain changed.
In 1500, almost all Spaniards were Roman Catholics, sharing a religious worldview of one God, who was always present in their lives, and of an afterlife in either heaven or hell. They believed that their place in the afterlife depended on whether they had followed religious teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. This included leading lives according to the Bible and the confession of sins. Cathedrals, the grandest buildings in any city, were built as places of worship to honour God. The interiors of cathedrals were usually filled with many beautiful religious statues and paintings. Religion united Roman Catholics on the Iberian Peninsula to finally conquer the Moors. The importance of religion was so strong that the Reconquista lasted for several centuries. At the conclusion of the Reconquista, Roman Catholicism became the only religious faith that Spaniards were allowed to practise. In observing their faith, the Spanish often focused on the suffering of Jesus Christ. The Spanish admired both courage and the willingness of individuals to withstand suffering and sacrifice in support of their principles. Exhibiting these traits, the conquistadors were held in high esteem.
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I wonder … how does believing in one God or believing in many gods affect worldview? Spanish sailors and explorers of that time often prayed in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela before setting sail. Gr8SS-AB-Ch08GOOD 2/25/07 9:54 PM Page 291
Records from the trials of citizens accused of heresy during the Spanish Inquisition show that they usually ended with an auto-da-fe. The auto-da-fe was a public ceremony during which the sentences of convicted individuals were read. The ceremonies, usually held in the city plaza, became very elaborate public spectacles. Often members of royalty attended. The ceremony began with a lengthy procession, followed by a religious service, an oath of obedience to the Inquisition, a sermon, and then the reading of the sentences. Generally, the sentences were carried out at a later time. Those found guilty of heresy were often executed by burning at the stake.
As in most of Europe, Latin was the language used by Spanish scholars and the clergy. However, each kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula had its own vernacular: Castilian in Castile, Aragonese in Aragon, and Catalan in Catalonia, along the Mediterranean coast. Once Isabella and Ferdinand united the two kingdoms of Castile and Aragon into Spain, Isabella made Castilian the official language. It later became known as Spanish. The nobles from across the country quickly switched to Castilian since it was the language of power. The common people in each area continued speaking their own languages, but gradually began to use Castilian for their dealings with citizens of other regions. Having one language helped unify the country, developing a common sense of citizenship and nationalism. O u r Wo r l d v i e w s C h a p t e r 8 292 La Cartuja Monastery, Granada, Spain One of the most famous works in Spanish literature is the epic poem “El cantar de mío Cid.” The poem is based on a true story about El Cid, a Spanish hero during the Reconquista in the 11th century. El Cid married the cousin of King Alfonso VI but was banished from the kingdom when his enemies unjustly accused him of stealing from the king. To regain his honour, he participated in the battles against the Moorish armies and conquered Valencia. Through these heroic acts, he regained the confidence of the king and his honour was restored. His two daughters then married the princes of Navarre and Aragon.
Arabic word sidi, meaning “leader.” Gr8SS-AB-Ch08GOOD 2/25/07 9:54 PM Page 292 Spanish literature by 1500 was rich and varied, reflecting its diverse population. During the Middle Ages, the troubadours wrote
many lyrical epics, long poems that focused on the social and political situations of the day. Troubadours sang for the common people in village squares and for the nobility in castles and royal courts. During this same period, scholars and priests composed poetry about the natural and supernatural world, often with subjects that helped reinforce the goals of the Reconquista. By the end of the 15th century, the Reconquista was over and lyrical poetry became popular. Lyrical poems were shorter than the epic poems of the troubadours and focused on themes of courtly love. They were often about knights and their love for a woman. Tales about chivalry and romance and poetry that portrayed the quiet life in the country also became popular forms of literature. A rc h i t e c t u r e a n d S c u l p t u r e Spanish architecture was greatly influenced by the Islamic Moors. They created unique architectural features that are still found in Spanish architecture. Many Spanish homes had beautiful mosaic decorations and inside courtyards modelled after Muslim buildings. The grandest structures in Spain were the mosques and churches. The architectural styles of many Spanish churches were modelled after those in France. The most talented Spanish sculptors lived in Catalonia and Aragon. In other areas of Spain, most of the best sculptors came from other lands in western Europe. Many sculptors decorated civic buildings, but most master sculptors created works for the interiors of churches and cathedrals.
Spanish artists absorbed influences from different cultures, traditions, and religions, but still developed their own artistic styles. Flemish and Italian artists had the greatest influence over Spanish artists. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the most impressive Spanish art was beautiful murals and frescoes, most often found on the walls of churches. The first identifiable Spanish painter was Ferrer Bassa (1324–1348). He founded the Catalan school of art. At the time of the unification, Spanish paintings reflected influences of both the Moors and northern Europe. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were patrons of the arts. H o w D i d t h e A z t e c a n d t h e S p a n i s h Wa y s o f L i f e R e f l e c t T h e i r Wo r l d v i e w s ? 293
Jesus in the Tomb with the Apostles and His Mother, fresco, Ferrer Bassa, Monasterio de Pedralbes, Barcelona, Spain troubadour: a travelling singer/musician Gr8SS-AB-Ch08GOOD 2/25/07 9:54 PM Page 293 R E F L E C T A N D R E S P O N D T h e S p a n i s h M e a s u r e m e n t o f Ti m e Until the year 1582, Europeans followed the Julian calendar that was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BCE
. The year equalled 365 1 / 4 days,
with the one-quarter day taken account of by adding an extra day to February every four years, a leap year. Each year was divided into 12 unequal months. When this calendar was first adopted, the
and equinoxes occurred on the 25th day of the month. By the late 1500s, they fell on the 11th day of the month. The calendar was not accurate enough, and over the centuries, the count was inaccurate that many days. This was a problem for Christians celebrating Easter around the equinox. If the equinox was now falling on the wrong date, then Easter, the holiest Christian holiday, was also falling on the wrong date. In 325, the Roman Catholic Church decided that Easter would be the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox, which was then March 21. O u r Wo r l d v i e w s C h a p t e r 8 294 The seven-day week was introduced by Emperor Constantine I in the 4th century.
In 1582, the spring equinox fell in early April instead of March 20 or 21. To solve the problem, Pope Gregory XIII decreed that the date following Thursday, October 4, 1582, would be Friday, October 15. This would return the Spring Equinox to March 21. The new calendar was called the Gregorian calendar. It regulated the ceremonial cycle of the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches and, in Europe, became the standard calendar for everyday use as well. It was quickly adopted by Spain, France, Portugal, Poland, and Italy. Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and a number of Catholic German states followed suit within a year or two. Other countries followed over the next centuries. By the early 1900s, the world was using the Gregorian calendar as its standard. 1. Compare the cultures of the Aztec and the Spanish. Which aspects may have led to conflict or misunderstanding? 2. Spanish troubadours travelled through the country singing their long epic songs. a. What similar groups roamed Japan culture during the Edo Period? b. Why would the troubadours have been so popular, especially in the towns and villages? 3. Spanish literary forms and themes changed during the 15th century. For example, romance novels became very popular. What do these changes reveal about changing attitudes among the Spanish?
either of the two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator. In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice (around June 21) is the longest day of the year and the winter solstice (around December 22) is the shortest Gr8SS-AB-Ch08GOOD 2/25/07 9:54 PM Page 294 Yüklə 380,9 Kb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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