Considering the Evidence - Essay Example

Module Module ID: Considering the Evidence It has aptly been d that refined pieces of art and literature serve as the reflection of life, and depict the same they observe in their natural, social and physical surroundings. Art and literature not only draw out the talent, proficiency, hard efforts and dedication of the artists, writers, poets and philosophers, but also make valuable contributions in respect of preserving the traits and features attributed to some particular age and era during which they have rendered their services in any of the creative fields related to a culture, civilization and society. Since these pieces serve as the most powerful, reliable and authentic sources of exploring the social norms, cultural values, religious rituals, taboos, mores, traditions, conventions, folklore and festivals, the historians, archeologists, cultural anthropologists and intellectuals declare them as the most dynamic donation one has granted to his culture (Walton, 2006). The same is applied to the given passages and pictures representing the Tang and Song dynasties of Medieval China. The given literature endorses the very notion that the elite stratum of the then Chinese society used to enjoy leisure hours after the completion of the tasks and professional obligations of the stratum. Hence, it ratifies Theory of Leisure Class articulated by Thorstein Veblen in 1899 that the elite or leisure class consumes its free hours after work in gossiping, arranging parties and embarking upon literary pursuits (Veblen, 2007). Since this class contained time, resources and opportunities in plenty, it did not have to get worried regarding their income and expenditures etc. Consequently, the class was expected to consume money, take food, drink wine, make fun and rejoice itself through amusement and recreational activities. Renowned English poet of Classical Era Alexander Pope has also elucidated the revelry-making activities of the elite stratum by portraying the everlasting character of the protagonist Belinda in his illustrious Rape of the Lock. The history of ancient cultures of Greece and Rome portray the kings and queen as habitual to dissipation and immoral activities while enjoying their leisure hours (Blond, 2000). The same was the position of the ruling class of Ottoman Empire, India and France. The French Revolution 1789 was actually the thunderous reaction to the dissipation made by the royalty and courtiers at the expense of the poor and downtrodden masses, who paid heavy taxes and thus underwent hunger and starvation for many days for the debaucheries and indulgences of royalty, nobility and clergy at large (Mahajan, 2003). The same could be witnessed by going through the material under-examination. However, the same varies from one society to the other, as the English kings exhibited more fondness towards adventures than to dissipation of various kinds; it is also the case with the Chinese royalty of ancient times. Although the trends of revelries making had been in vogue among the royalty belonging to almost every culture and civilization, yet its level and intensity varied among divergent cultures and civilizations of the world. The literature demonstrates that the Chinese emperors were habitual of eating, drinking and gossiping with the nobles and courtiers, and also got indulged into sexual and immoral activities (422). Somehow, it was not only confined to China, as they did not get indulged into adulteries and fornication to the extent attributed to the Roman emperors of ancient and medieval eras. The people affiliated with the royal court of ancient Rome, according to Blond (2000), including the kings, queens, ministers and relations and friends of royalty were indulged into excessive extra marital relations, and even incest and homosexuality was also in prevalence at there. Somehow, the given pictures reveal the Chinese emperors belonging to the Tang and Song dynasties, look intoxicated to some extent in the company of the nobility and attendants. They look gorgeous, entertaining, generous, but easy-going and care-free, which have more concerns for merry-making instead of making preparations for the strategic, economic and social uplift their country and subjects as well. Actually, the kingship under an imperial political system had been inherited, where the merit, physical strength, educational qualifications and other proficiencies or popularity among the masses did not have any value for becoming the emperor. Similarly, the empress, as the pictures portrays, appears to be fond of music, dinners and drinks in the company of the ladies with high esteem, noble birth and exuberant literary, music and intellectual tastes, but no immorality could be observed by the available literature among the ladies associated with the royal court. The pictures also depict that the emperors and empresses used to pay due heed to their attire and sitting places in courts, where they decorated their apparels with gems, stones and jewelry. It was particularly the case with the empresses, which were fond of precious garments and fascinating ornaments. In addition, both emperors and empresses used to wear discern eloquent head dress, which was identity mark for them, and distinguished them from the rest of the people. Thus, although the emperors and empresses belonging to Tang and Song dynasties appeared to be attending serene parties in the company of the nobility and courtiers in the same sitting arrangements, yet they sustained their individuality and uniqueness through their distinctive attire, royal position and commanding mannerism; as the attendants appeared to be standing beside their seat, ready to serve them within a jiffy, as the picture demonstrates (419). An important feature of the royal retiring room is the superb and pageant paintings hanging on the walls adding to its decoration and eloquence. Moreover, the available pictures also exhibit the influence of the teachings made by the distinguished Chinese philosopher Confucius on the mind and acts of the royalty and courtiers at large, which can be viewed by profound interest displayed by the elite stratum while embarking upon the intellectual discussions and philosophical debate in the light of the wise sayings of the great philosopher. These discussions, as the existing material portrays, used to take place in the gardens adjacent to the royal palace, where the emperors invited the writers, poets, philosophers, intellectuals and thinkers for the exchange of views and ideas. The intelligentsia used to give vent to their thoughts under the guardianship of the emperor, who also announced gifts, awards, allowances and royalties to the intellectuals and scholars (420-21). To conclude, it becomes evident that the emperors were not only lovers of art and music, but also maintained great vigilance and fortitude in their personality. Although they used to support the painters, artists and musicians too, and the talented and creative people used to visit and attend royal courts with their creativity and artistic work, yet they also hired the services of detectives and spies in order to check the deviancies committed by the royal family, relations, friends and courtiers. Hence, they not only patronized art and culture, but also served as the custodian of the state activities, particularly the acts being observed at palaces. They issued decree to their secret aides to explore the actions taking place behind the curtain (422). Thus, they were keen observer and had an eye on every activity taking place either openly or behind the curtains within their royal premises and social environment in general. Works Cited Blond, Anthony. A Scandalous History of the Roman Emperors Carrol & Graf Publishers New York 2000 10-17 Macionis, John J. Sociology. Eleventh Edition Pearson Prentice Hall Inc 2007 15-31 Mahajan, V. D. A History of Europe Since 1789 Chand Publications Delhi 2002 Veblen, Thorstein Theory of the Leisure Class Echo Library Publishers 2007 9-47 Walton, John H. Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible Baker Academic USA 2006 Read More