Reviews the CD recording "Consort Music for Viols in Six Parts" based on consort music by John Jenkins from the 15th century, performed by Hesperion XX.
Abstract This paper explains that John Jenkins" Consort Music for Viols in Six Parts", performed by Hesperion XX, was composed for a small six part ensemble of instruments in the viol family. The author points out that Hersperion XX, an early music ensemble group formed in 1974 in Switzerland, was directed by Jordi Savall, a famous conductor and viol player. The paper relates that the composer John Jenkins (1592-1678), lived his life in England, is most well known for his consort music for viols. The paper concludes that, since this recording sounds like a piece that would be composed in the 21st century, the author believes that it is not very authentic.
From the Paper "One of the recurring themes throughout the recording is the presence of the bass and contrabass. These instruments are very prominent and can be easily heard throughout the recording because they are given distinct parts that allow the listener to discern their presence very well. Also, the tempo of the recordings seems to be very slow and methodical. This methodical tempo is made especially clear through the presence of the bass and contrabass. These instruments make the music's tempo feel like a man wading through a very thick mud bog."
Tags: guitar, early music, ensemble improvisation string
Abstract This paper explains that the statue of Flora embodies Roman contradictory attitudes towards female fertility and sexuality; sexuality was desirable for familial propagation, but female liberality in the sexual sphere was something Roman society wished to contain. The author points out that Flora, like most Roman deities, has a counterpart in Greek mythology called Chloris, who was mainly known as the relatively minor wife of the West Wind Zephyr, but Flora, who became much more important than the West Wind in Rome, was not Zephyr's wife, but his consort. The paper relates that the connection between sowing and open sexuality might be why prostitutes adopted Flora's festival as their own because, in an interesting twist, at an agricultural festival meant to honor the flowers, land, soil, and toil of farmers, part of the festival honoring Goddess Flora was held during the night, so prostitution became a more important component of the celebration.
From the Paper "Flora wears a transparent-like garment that emphasizes and conceals the nudity of her figure in its artful drapes and beckons the gazer in a friendly and alluring way. Her palm turned open, as if making an offering. She wears a garland of flowers in her hair, as is typical of all statues of the goddess Flora. She strikes the viewer as both sensual, yet also motherly, traditional and womanly. She is nude and provocative in the way she extends her grasping hand to the gazer, but not intimidating in her beauty."
Abstract This paper details the highlights of Anne Boleyn's life and the impact that she had on England.
From the Paper "Throughout the general history of England, the Legend of Anne Boleyn has endured years of introspection and critique, as well as praise and recognition. Anne Boleyn's notorious marriage to King Henry VIII created the controversy that surrounded her last years of life in England. During her famed marriage to King Henry VII, Anne lived under the extreme pressures stemming from the urgency to produce a male heir to the throne. This requisite placed tension on her relationship with Henry, causing the eventual dissolution of their marriage. At the time of Anne's three-year reign, she acquired all the advantages of a Queen Consort, including the ability to hold influence upon the King's decisions and judgements within his kingdom. Although her time on the throne was short lived, Anne Boleyn prospered in many of her personal endeavors as the Queen of England."
Abstract This paper will reveal the sociological and philosophical perspectives within the book "Almost Transparent Blue" by Ryu Murakami. By understanding how American values are present in Japanese culture, we can see how Ryu and her friends consort to nihilism in their sexual misconduct.
Abstract This paper introduces and analyzes the play, "Eurydice", by Jean Anouilh. Specifically, it discusses the contrasting idealism and realism in two representative places in the story and whether Eurydice is innocent or not. It examines how the themes of idealism, innocence, and realism intertwine to form the backdrop for a startling group of players, with the innocent and yet worldly Eurydice at the pivot point of the play. It also looks at the underlying meaning the author is attempting to get across to his audience. This tragic story shows how love can affect people and bring out the best and worst in people.
From the Paper "The play contrasts idealism and realism quite effectively. Idealism shows itself from the start, when the two characters fall in love with each other without knowing a thing about each other. Playwright Anouilh writes, "'I'll never leave you.' 'Will you swear that?'" (Anouilh 66). These two do not know each other, and yet they already are pledging themselves to each other. This is the ultimate in idealism. Here it is shown as young and innocent love that believes anything is possible. The two "children" have not lived enough to understand the difficulties and realism of life, and so, they believe their love is possible, which of course, it is not. Eurydice sees this dimly when she says, "'D'you think you'll make me very unhappy?'" (Anouilh 66). She says it almost as if she does not believe it, and yet, she is worldly enough to know that the idealism of youth is soon replaced by the reality of age, because she was ravaged young, and has lived a hard life. Orpheus embodies the innocence and idealism of the couple, because he will do anything to stay with Eurydice, even abandon his father and consort with the devil. Orpheus is idealism personified, while Eurydice leans toward realism, because her life has actually been more difficult even than Orpheus' life."
Abstract In this paper the author describes the common elements in the many Gawain stories and how they may often be traced to the hero-god Cuchulainn's characteristics in the Irish story, Bricriu's Feast. The paper begins by outlining Gawain's literary origins and then discusses the important motifs of the Gawain stories: the Beheading Game and the Imperious Host of an otherworldly castle who imposes tests on his guests. Next the paper discusses sir Gawain's courtesy: the courtesy tests he undergoes at the castle of the Imperious Host, his consistent tact and courtesy, and how this is set in opposition to Sir Kay's surliness. This is followed by an examination of Malory's more convoluted representation of Gawain's personality in his "Morte D'Arthur" and an analysis of his relationships with maidens: his many lovers, his bachelorhood, and the theory that he may once have had a divine consort. The paper then examines his waxing and waning strength, which supports the idea that he, like Cuchulainn, may have once been associated with a solar deity. Finally, the paper concludes that the essential elements of Gawain's story seem to have a common Celtic origin that has several parallels to Bricriu's Feast.
From the Paper "The origin of sir Gawain is mythic rather than historical and the subject of much debate. Gawain cannot be traced to any character in history, but he does possess many qualities that associate him with Celtic myth, particularly the hero-god Cuchulainn. As paganism was subsumed by Christianity, the Gawain stories entered Christian chronicle and romance. The earliest reference to Gawain may be from William of Malmesbury in 1125 and Weston cites a Professor Zimmer who claims "that the heroes [of the Arthurian tales] were well known in Italy by 1010." Authors such as Hall point out the Welsh Gwalchmei as the earliest equivalent, but Loomis counters that by the second half of the eleventh century, when the Mabinogion was written, the Welsh were borrowing legends from Britain. "
Abstract The paper discusses the religion of "Wicca" and notes that women who have sought a more egalitarian path, found that answer in Wicca. The paper explains the rationale behind this neo -pagan religion, what it is based on, its symbols and its rituals. The paper comments that Wiccans follow a lunar year, practice "magic", but they view it as more of a cosmic energy that exists within all of us. The paper comments that since the central focus of Wicca is the Goddess fertility, and her consort a horned god, it has created a great deal of feminist appeal. The paper concludes that Wiccans encourage all who are interested in their religion to research as much information as possible and to make an informed decision.
Outline:
What is Wicca?
Women and Wicca
From the Paper "Wicca does not have a formal "book" of its teachings like a Bible or a Q'uran. This is partly due to it being a nature based religion whose roots are akin to a faith that was based on an oral tradition. Wiccans are encouraged to keep a "Book of Shadows", which may consist of a personal chronicle with incantations, Wiccan teachings, personal reflections, etc. Wicca does not have a canon of laws, but practioners are required to celebrate the eight Pagan holidays based on the Lunar Calendar (October 31 to October 30). The holidays are Samhain (Oct.31), Imbolc (Feb. 2), Spring Equinox (March 21), Beltane (April 30), Summer Solstice (June 21), Lughnasadh (July 31), Autumn Equinox (Sept. 21), and Yule Lore (Dec. 21), (The Celtic Connection). The New Moon and Full Moon celebrations are of significance importance as well, since the moon is representative of the Goddess. The different feasts are sometimes associated with a pantheon of Celtic and Druidic deities apart from the Goddess and God. Each of these festivals has its own rituals and observances, and some even coincide with Western religious practices. "
