MovieChat Forums > Historical > The Discreet Charm of the Middle Ages

The Discreet Charm of the Middle Ages

posted 13 years ago by HijodelCid
8 replies | jump to latest

You all know that many recent movies try to present the MA in a more realistic way than is usually the case; in THE NAME OF THE ROSE, for instance, its characters are presented as if they had absolutely no idea of the importance of personal hygiene. Those movies, however, have failed to damage the image of the MA as a time of charm, heroism and magic in which innumerable fairy tales and epics take place. In a Youtube video of GREENSLEEVES, a lady says that that song and similar others inspire in her the dream of being a lady in her castle who writes and sings the romances from which the Romantic movement took its name. That is so sweet!
What images do the MA inspire in you? I myself, being in my fifties, the age of Don Quixote, like to imagine myself as the protagonist of SIR ISUMBRAS AT THE FORD, whom I resemble quite a bit.

God is subtle, but He is not malicious. (Albert Einstein)

[–] furienna 13 years ago

I believe the truth lies somewhere between.

Intelligence and purity.

[–] indy_go_blue44 12 years ago

I think most people would be horrified with the reality of the MA. Chivalry was just another word for chauvinism. Dirt, disease, privation, ignorance, superstition, prejudice, early death, backbreaking labor from dawn to dusk, poverty. Could you imagine having sex with someone like Catherine the Great who IIRC bathed once in her life (or maybe not at all); filthy, rotten teeth, crawling with lice.

But on the other hand, it is an age of fascinating ideas, especially with the Renaissance and Reformation. I can understand why authors/writers like to romanticize it.

[–] furienna 12 years ago

Actually, the Renaissance and the Reformation were the end of the Middle Ages. And also, Catherine the Great lived in the 18th century, which was a couple of centuries after the Middle Ages had ended. But I understand what you mean. It wasn't until the 20th century, that people started caring about hygiene. All my four grandparents had to get false teeth, since they hardly ever had brushed their real teeth, and my parents were in their 20s before they started brushing their teeth regularly. And don't get me started on bathing and showering.

Intelligence and purity.

[–] Aulic Exclusiva 12 years ago

What I love about the Middle Ages is the literature and the pure, unadulterated faith. Illuminated books and gorgeous churches.

Scostatevi profani! Melpomene son io...

[–] Salmonit 12 years ago

Middle Age architecture was incredible and its breathtaking.
Infection killed the most, not even counting the Black Plague. Dental problems led to infections spreading through the body and killed millions of people.
Bad hygeine, bad water and just bad and infected food, also deleted lives.
Charming? I don't think so. Rough? Yes!
And don't forget the act of giving birth killed many a mother. Newborn babies had the odds against them and many children didn't reach their 5th birtday.

[–] HijodelCid 12 years ago

Indeed. The art and literature of that period was wonderful, and a vital part of the era's charm.

God is subtle, but He is not malicious. (Albert Einstein)

[–] ramonagreen548 12 years ago

I totally agree with u 100%. I bet we'd really get on! R u on F/B or google+, or any other social networking site? Would love to have a proper chat sometime. I love reading historical novels, especially about MA and crusades! Do you like reading? Pls get back to me. My e-mail is [email protected]. hope to hear from u soon!!

[–] ContinentalOp 11 years ago

Hey Romona,

I missed your post from here earlier; http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000134/flat/198683657?p=2

My email is [email protected] (Bilgames being a more correct form of ''Gilgamesh''). Hope to hear from you! :-)

Formerly KingAngantyr