Iconography: A Satire of the Three States - Essay Example

Number] Iconography: A Satire of the Three s Iconography in the eyes of the interpreter is perhaps the most important part of any theatrical or stage performance. A Satire of the Three States is amongst the very few stage performances which depicts iconography of the medieval times in accordance with the specific script of the play. Bound by different aspects revolving around the play, A Satire of the Three States focuses on issues related to the three medieval states of Spirituality (related to Church), Temporality (Nobility of the Lords), and Merchand (Labor and Peasantry). The iconography thus used is to sarcastically make fun of these three social constructions; it is to point out political flaws amongst the leaders of the history. As iconography depends on interpretation, it always includes the assembly of historical references to construct ideas in the views eyes. To have a critical analysis over the iconography of the play, one must always begin with what is shows and what is to be perceived. This requires having deep knowledge about the certain area of history for references and interpretations. Many languages, geographical understanding through times of history takes part with an emphasis to make a point towards the audience. The results of all these measures taken towards iconography always have more than one meaning. It is then on the audiences to balance between which one seems more convincing and compares it with the most accurate historical reference. A Satire of the Three Estates The Scottish play puts a great emphasis on how the states were fooled by the desired of an individual. The provoking of the state towards a change helped by elements of diligence and spirituality along with the scholars in the play depict a true meaning towards change in the medieval times. The play divided in two parts takes the journey from the effects on Rex, the king through sensuality and other vices towards the second part where the three Estates are called upon before the parliament, where rationality is put above the meaning of all and is taken into account for the expulsion of all the negative matters such a theft, sensuality etc. The hanging of these negative acts reflects the end from it from the society that ran under these influences. The play shows a constant struggle between the good and the evil and how choices are made towards what is wanted and what is presented. The manipulative acts of certain human and social characteristics are openly presented upon the leaders who are easily convinced conform into these malpractices. Thus, the play requires rescue through Correctness who comes and orders everyone to take control of all the three estates. he fifteen point amendment towards having all the three estates working together then shows the work within the play towards the end. The play tries to stick to how having direct negative aspects to the leadership can cause a major effect over the workers and the lords of the country. Something that is practiced by the leadership cannot be equal towards the people who build a nation. It is then upon the rational concepts to emerge and shadow over these practices and turn the leadership towards the right direction. Iconography in the Play The complete play is deeply constructed amongst the iconography. All the occasions thus performed show some sort of link towards what was going on through the 1500’s. Using the sarcastic and at times humorous tone, the play tries to connect with the audience into spreading the message much clearly. Although in a historical reference, the iconography of the play is much near to the true meaning with flaws. The play revolves around from the very start towards the sudden change, many a times, such as in the play, the character named after certain characteristic or social practice is not clear. The idea is to have a symbolist approach through certain way of acting, talking and tone. The satire of the three states although a much strong emphasis leaves out certain characteristics that can also have effect on the judgement. That missing iconography is not the writer’s mistake but the limitation towards what the problem is addressed. Early iconography in the play is limited towards having certain problems and lustrous impacts over Rex with solutions limited towards fixing spirituality and condemning these folly acts. It is to be taken in account that the play itself is from the medieval times, the problems discussed are from that era too. The iconography through the stage actors and their situations are to show much about how the people in that time lived. The limitations to which are the interpretations of how much the state ran under money and influence of mental corruption. Medieval Iconography & Early Iconography Most of the medieval iconography was in forms of literary text, such as the play itself. Medieval Iconography used in the play was turned into pictorial representation and then later into a form of play to have representation through attire and gestures to show the true meaning of the text. Iconography most in the early times was limited towards art and painting, some of it was written text but as actions speak louder than words, it wasn’t until the 18th century that the plays started to grow and through actions and artistic approach of dialogues, the stage iconography’s true meaning started to grow. Early iconography, like a Satire of the Three Estates was limited towards the religious point of view. It can be presented amongst the limitations and problems that religion was the centre of the attention, therefore no creativity under the play was encourage. All points were to start and were only encouraged if they had a majority of iconography comprised of religious art. Through the developmental stage of iconography, it was limited towards painting and then later in Europe towards religious stage performances. These were complex which made the interpretation different for everyone. Stage Iconography through visuals In the play, the estate comprised of different dressing that gave a better idea, with each actor having a certain clothing style along with their act, such as sensuality had a different attractive way of clothing depicting the specific role. This genre of iconography is used amongst plays to clear up the ideas; a picture is then set in the audiences, interpretive way for that certain time period and also towards future incidences to think of a certain person, element or characteristic with a certain representation in mind. In this play, medieval iconography lacks some details as to how modern iconography is concerned. With the advancement in perspectives of people, many a times, it is just hard to believe or understand a certain type of act from someone. With the play in account, the setting of the play is an important approach towards iconography. Primarily, these acts were done around the 16th century in limited spaces around the city, which gave a true meaning to the common man to refer and help them ponder on the certain aspects. Iconography, the term then not even existence was much related to the essence to which the meaning of the play was conveyed from the very common of the man to the higher positions through that time. The theatrical or stage performances during that time had little do with the costume as much of it was related towards the acts and gestures relating to the play. Colors also add much towards the illustration and add to the iconography of the play/act. This system from the very history to the modern day keeps on ensuring the perspectives are made and now in the modern day are depicted through different means of modern theatre. Modern iconography of A Satire of Three Estates The acts and the costumes, the specific allure that keeps the play on going enlarging the previous religious customs are shown in the modern day. The medieval spirit led this play amongst the new ages and when practiced gave a different view. When performed under a setting of castles, with a king being attracted to negative realities of life, which shine but are leading towards darkness, the iconography of the play is then put into reality. The different techniques now used are much clearer in perspective, through different stage props and systems of approach, the concepts are narrowed down. Although metaphors in the play are the basic constituent of the play, it becomes much clearer in the sight of the audience through augmented iconography about the true story behind the play. Scottish era of catholic religious acts in the modern iconography is much narrow in terms of showing where the problem really lies, with the person or with the society. Hence, in the modern times, the strategy of blaming the man can be a interpretive problems with the play. The limitations towards religious iconography time and again presented in the play are, in today’s vast amount of beliefs an aspect through which the iconography is divided into genres. Modern sense of understand how different Vices to the King, Correctness are depicted are of different aspects to the viewers. The modern iconography is now not limited to religious prospects, with secular approach towards concepts; the play is directed towards “Good faith”. The modern iconography of the play is tuned more realistic towards the reality of the times. As history was in much more written form than any other, nothing recorded or pictorial, the modern iconography of the play then would try to implicate the older time. This although giving an close estimate towards the play would have a limitation towards the interpretive difference as people in certain times can understand situations better than of modern times. Iconography through time The play does decipher towards the Young James V of Scotland, with many editions of the play practiced through time, the iconography of the play differentiated for different intervals of times for different generations and governments. Although considered to be an interlude play, with a strict criticism towards the clergy. Being a morality play, most of the modern theatrical performances of the same genre learned a lot from this play. English drama and prose took great benefit towards iconography used in the play as it is doesn’t directly point towards a person but rather gives out a solution towards the problem. Although weak in the plot, the play has been changed and modified to be beneficial towards newer times having no offense towards certain systems of approach. The iconography of different characters shows different hierarchies of systems in the modern day. Of course the same implementation differs from the original concept but the abstract is the same. Modern iconography of the play doesn’t constitutes of many other problems dealt amongst the new age problems but can be modified like during other occasions to have a substantial influence over the audience through the same iconography used. In the modern day, the play has been performed under different enclosures, which would have different stage materials and props, such a lightening, musical instruments, makeup and better clothing to put a large amount of direct emphases. This was not possible during the medieval times of the play. This creates a gap towards understanding meanings. Iconography in modern stage is much clearer and clothing now would depict more creativity and put the audience in direct emotions with the play. The systems now a day’s used towards creating the true meaning, nostalgia are of important use to create a better understanding of the historical times. As nobody can actually travel back in time, stage iconography now a days, can only do so much in terms of costumes, language and props to give an approximation of the history of the certain time frame. Limitations during the play Considered to be much of an interlude, the Satire of the Three States, has its limitations in terms of the time consumed and the length. The iconography tried to be emphasised during the play is strong enough to give a message but limited in terms of having just two parts. The iconography is kept much simple as all the negative aspects are having direct effects on Rex, the king and in the second part are easily encounter by the commandments given by correction. By prolonging the play and adding more dimensions to the play, it can have a larger iconographic impact on the audience. The modern iconography does have some advantages to when it was played in the medieval times. During history these matters had more problems for the people who performed it. They were hanged and also threatened to be sent abroad. Now due to the literary position of such plays, A Satire of the Three States has advantage to give the different message to different audiences by used the history with no limitations from controlling authority. Having much of the rational approach, the iconography of Satire of the Three States, makes fun of the Church that it is under control of harmful problems. The iconography emphasises openly about these Sensuality, Theft, Temporality, Spirituality and other aspects through strong acts. Conclusion A Satire of the Three Estates can use many modern iconography techniques to ensure the true meaning. As nobody can time travel, the writer of the play did his best to depict the problems faced by the poor man of that time. The interpretation of the play is limited towards the clergy of the Scottish era whereas the staging of the play can be widened towards having more emphases towards the steps of how all the problems affect the common man. Modern stage iconography of this play is much more interesting as it more true to clear out the historical references and acts. Techniques then are used towards wider variety to have a clearer picture. The play can have an increased sense of understanding if the environment is created in such a method that it can depict the actual crises during the Scottish era. The play itself is fast running and gives a sense of connection towards the audiences. The humour and sarcasm used towards the play within all its criticism toward the Governments does give a true symbolist idea of modern day can be compared towards the history. Now divided into morality play, the acting expected of the play has to be very strong to be directly in line with the idea proposed by the play. A Satire of the Three Estates is a true iconography of the medieval times. The relation between the Spirituality of the person driven by the lust of power motivated by immoral acts give the audience much to think about. The decisions shown to be truly human with the variety of roles encourages the audience to live the play. The metaphorical words, used by the actors make the play much more complex than it seems. As each word has many synonyms, giving the true picture and staying under the boundaries of the word to act is a great challenge. The overlapping and hiding the reality of each act is a true iconography of this classical play. In the modern stage, iconography is more intense and diverse for Satire of the Three Estates. References Houk, Raymond A. "Versions of Lindsays Satire of the Three Estates." Publications of the Modern Language Association of America (1940): 396-405. "Drammaturgia.it - European Theatre Iconography: abstracts." Drammaturgia.it - European Theatre Iconography: abstracts., 2013. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. . Read More