Abstract
Two paintings by Hieronymus Bosch are compared and analyzed in this paper. The similarities and contrasts of "Epiphany" (approx. 1490) and "Adoration of the Magi" (1510) are shown. Although both depict the birth of Jesus Christ, the paper shows how the paintings differ in style and message. The author also touches on what was considered a third 'adoration' painting by Bosch, but which turned out to be a forgery.

From the Paper
"In the earliest version of the adoration of the Magi, known as the "Epiphany" presumed to date anywhere from approximately 1480-1490, and the first treatment of the subject unquestionably attributed to Bosch, the painting has a personal and almost friendly quality to it. This painting, an oil on a panel, was evidently not commissioned by any patron. Unlike many paintings of the period, it gives, rather than a clear view of Mary presented as the queen of heaven, a vision of the young girl sitting in a tiny, old and dilapidated stable. Two wise men are standing, one sitting with his gift at his feat. The wise men appear to be in conversation, but not necessarily about the Christ child. They hold their gifts casually, as kings might, causal of valuable objects. Even the man sitting in reverence could be seen as showing his fascination with Christ's youth, rather than with Christ's divinity. The baby Christ Child almost appears vulnerable in relationship to the Magi in this picture. He has no halo, he is naked and unswaddled. Yet Christ reaches out to the wise man, at his mother's like a friendly baby who is directly interested the affairs of all that come to him."

Tags:Gospel, Matthew, nativity, gospel, Joseph, Mary, Old, Testament

Abstract
This paper is a comparison of Giotto's fresco, "The Adoration of the Magi," sometimes called "the Epiphany," and "St. Francis Recieving the Stigmata," generally attributed to Jan van Eyck, althuogh this remains uncertain. The paper posits that the paintings each represent advances in art, although the van Eyck painting shows an overwhelming development of the bckground, increasing the detail and realism to the point where it is almost oppressive.

From the Paper
"Giotto de Bondoni was a breakthrough artist in that he turned art toward a much higher degree of realism than it had known before the early fourteenth century. However, by later standards, his frescoes seem remarkably crude. Many of his finest works are among the frescos in the Arena or Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. (Battisti, 78) The chapel was designed by Giotto to provide him with walls on which he created a range of frescoes depicting the life of Christ and various events attendant to that life. The project was apparently undertaken as a compensatory gesture to..."

Tags:giotto, van eyck, frescco

Abstract
The paper looks at Giotto de Bondoni's "Adoration of the Magi" masterpiece and "St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata of Christ," attributed to Hubert van Eyck. The paper describes these two paintings of Giotto's frescoes and van Eyck's oils. The paper notes that although Van Eyck is the more advanced of the two, they are both masterpieces that reward serious study.

From the Paper
"Giotto de Bondoni was a breakthrough artist in that he turned art toward a much higher degree of realism than it had known before the early fourteenth century. However, by later standards, his frescoes seem remarkably crude. Many of his finest works are among the frescos in the Arena or Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. (Battisti, 78) The chapel was designed by Giotto to provide him with walls on which he created a range of frescoes depicting the life of Christ and various events attendant to that life. The project was apparently undertaken as a compensatory gesture to atone for the usurious career of Reginaldo delgi Scrovegni, a character sufficiently notorious that Dante portrays him in Hell."

Tags:frescoes, oils, realism, crudity, luminosity

From the Paper
"This paper will analyze the painting Madonna and Child with Adoring Angel (c. 1468), by Sandro Filipepi Botticelli. The work consists of tempera paint on panel and it stands at 35 x 26-3/4 inches. The subject matter of the painting shows Mary affectionately holding the baby Jesus while a nearby angel looks on. The context of the work is the early Italian Renaissance. In contrast to the strictly religious themes of the medieval period, the early Renaissance was a time when humanism was becoming increasingly important in painting. In addition, the early Renaissance saw the development of increased naturalism in terms of pictorial style.

Botticelli was born in about 1444 or 1445 and he died in 1510. He was a Florentine painter who is closely associated with the patronage of the Medici family. The Madonna and Child with ..."

Abstract
This paper focuses on the "Ghent Altarpiece" by Jan van Eyck, with a concentration on its function as a theological work of art. The paper asserts that van Eyck, although dealing with a traditional subject like the Adoration of the Lamb, treats it in an unconventional way by adding a greater degree of majesty and universality to his depiction of this religious subject. The paper concludes that the work is well-executed, as the balance and serenity of the composition convey a sense of harmony and stability to the viewer, appealing to the foundations of religious faith.

Outline:
Initial Reaction
Description
Analysis
Interpretation
Final Evaluation

From the Paper
"The human figures in the painting are also symbolically significant. The men which are kneeling in the lower left corner represent icons from the Old Testament, specifically patriarchs and prophets that foretold the coming of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion. The standing figures behind them are nonreligious figures that were considered to be blessed, such as the poet Virgil. Opposite this processional group are figurers from the New Testament; kneeling are the apostles and behind them stand prelates and deacons, along with three popes, all wearing red to signify the fact that they are martyrs. Unlike this group of men, the confessors standing in the upper left corner of the painting did not die a martyr's death, and therefore wear blue. Finally, the last group is composed of female saints, each holding palm leaves to signify martyrdom."

Tags:Belgium, triptych, adoration

Abstract
This paper discusses three women in William Shakespeare's "Othello" and their different relationships with the men they love. It looks at Desdemona and her adoration of Othello, at Emilia and her loyalty to the abominable Iago and finally at Bianca as the sensual mistress of Cassio. The paper describes the characters' love throughout the play and looks at the various outcomes of that love.

From the Paper
"Cassio, Othello's lieutenant, is a young blade, the dashing, handsome man whom Iago admits has virtues that Iago cannot match. (V:i:18-20) In Bianca, he has a mistress rather than a wife, apparently a prostitute (IV:i:95-96), and while his actions suggest that he is reasonably fond of her (III:iv:167-78), he apparently does not intend to marry her (IV:i:116-117, 120-22, 124-26, 128-30), and while he will try to attend to her when he can (III:iv:176-77), he offers her no assurance that he will give her anything more than a handkerchief he has happened upon. (III:iv:186) When he gives this to her, she is jealous, that this is something from another woman, but there is a youthful innocence and exuberance in her remarks, not the burning rage of Othello's jealousy. (III,iv:178-81; IV:i:147-161) She becomes a tool in Iago's scheming, as he speaks of her to Cassio, while Othello believes that the conversation is about Desdemona. (IV:i:94-144) Although she ordinarily treats love as a mere commodity (Kernan), when she finds Cassio wounded, she seems genuinely concerned for him. (V:i:115-20) Iago turns his malice on her, suggesting she had a role in the attack, which is all Iago's doing. (V:i:85-86, 100-01, 104-10, 116) She recoils at the accusation, but can do little about it. (V:i:122-23)"

Tags:mistress, Iago, Cassio, adoration, character

Abstract
This paper reviews Kakuzo Okakura's 'Book of Tea'. According to the paper, 'Book of Tea' provides a potent and stimulating introduction to Japanese culture. The paper then takes a look at the idea of Teaism, a cult founded on the adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday existence. The paper explains that by focusing on the possibilities of perfecting something small, like brewing and serving a perfect cup of tea, with all the correct ceremony, a sense of harmony and control is attained, even in light of the imperfections of a confusing world.

From the Paper
"Okakura's own prose, with its attitude of whimsy rather than worshipfulness: "What a tempest in a tea cup...Perhaps I betray my own ignorance of the Tea Cult by being so outspoken," is in keeping with the principles of Teaism that he outlines. He makes delightful use of the religious nature of tea, poking fun at Westerners who dislike tea, who call drinking tea a filthy custom as heretics. This lack of reverence towards tea is a key, ironic part of Japanese religiosity, he implies. By not taking things too seriously, the true ethos of tea is manifest. Tea is served with deliberation, but ultimately the pourer knows that it does not matter very much in the grand scheme of things."

Tags:culture, religion, brewing, tea, ethos, Tea, Cult, Japanese

Abstract
In order to analyze people's fantasies, Sigmund Freud says that we can look at their creative writing, thereby seeing the wishes and desires that they have. By approaching an analysis of the character Sir Lancelot in Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte D'Arthur" in this way, this paper provides insight on what was important to men in that society. Lancelot is made the primary hero of the story. The paper shows, therefore, that Lancelot becomes the vehicle through which Malory and male readers can stop being "ashamed" of their fantasies and find a release of tension through the adoration Lancelot receives from women and the excellence of Lancelot's fighting skills.

From the Paper
"Guenivere's desire for Lancelot throughout Malory's story shows us how Lancelot is the figure of a daydream. Guenivere is the wife of the king. This attribute of Guenivere's places her on a pedestal. She is the most important woman in the territory controlled by King Arthur. Having an affair with a married woman such as Guenivere would make the person having the affair seem important. Guenivere's actions toward Lancelot characterize her as someone who is in desperate need of the hero's love. When Lancelot is trying to draw attention away from his interest in Guenivere, Guenivere says, "Sir Lancelot, I see and feel daily that they love beginneth to slacken, for ye have no joy to be in my presence, but ever ye are out of this court (403). It makes a male feel good to have an important woman want his "love" and not want the "love" to "slacken.""

Tags:Guenivere, desire, hero, self-esteem

Abstract
This paper explains that, in Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye", the narrator, a teenage boy named Holden Caulfield who comes from a rich family, seems to be a normal teenage boy; however, as the reader gets deeper into the story, he displays certain self-destructive and pathological qualities that separate him from the norm. The author points out that the beginning of the story is very interesting, as Holden points out that he does not want this story to be his life story; he simply wants the reader to understand how he ended up where he did: in psychiatric care. The paper concludes that Holden is said to suffer from psychological problems because of his self-destructive behavior and his nonconformist attitudes. The "cure", as implied in the novel, would be for Holden to stop resisting material gain and his adoration for nonjudgmental, genuine, human interaction.

From the Paper
"Holden goes back to his dormitory and encounters Robert Ackley, a rude outcast with an acne-ridden face and a poor attitude, and Holden's roommate, an arrogant man-about-campus who Holden despises. As Stradlater gets ready for a date with Jane Gallagher, an old friend of Holden's, he asks Holden to write an essay for him, as Holden is a talented writer. Holden leaves with Ackley and another student to see a movie in New York City, but writes the paper when he returns. At this point, we catch a glimpse of the root of Holden's troubles. He writes the essay about his late brother Allie's favorite baseball glove. He pours his heart out in the story, describing how Allie died of leukemia and how he broke all of the windows in his garage in a rage the night that Allie died."

Tags:holden, rich, pathological, self-destructive, non-conformist

Abstract
This paper presents a description of the piece of art known as "Diptych", which portrays a series of scenes from the life of Christ, beginning with the Annunciation and proceeding through his birth, adoration by the Magi, betrayal, death, ascension, and the final gift of his spirit to the people at Pentecost.

From the Paper
"Stylistically, this piece seems both common to its time and yet also enlightening as to its historical moment. There is a certain classical stylization to the flow of the drapery and clothing about the figures which has evolved from the more formless shapes of the earlier middle ages, and hints at an evolving classicism and awareness of form that heralds the oncoming Rennaissance. The characters are in constant contorting motion, and the drapery about them is used to accentuate the angles at which they are caught, and an articulated body is visible below. "In the Gothic figure no such differentiation exists" (Iskold), until the Gothic begins to blend into the Rennaissance."

Tags:renaissance, style, christ, bible