Carnival Transition from Medieval Time to Romanticism - Essay Example

Carnival of Carnival Carnivalesque is a concept that is directly associated with the theory of Bakhtin presented in “Rabelais and his Word”. Bakhtin explained that culture has been managed or controlled by authorities and church mainly in the medieval time. However, with time, culture became a surrogated element for generally accepted activity of humor. Bakhtin presented a very clear idealistic image of carnival where everything could happen to illustrate life and celebrate the presence of body. This rather raises the question regarding carnival as a significant part of modern life. This paper aims to discuss the statement of Bakhtin stating that carnival has undergone a great deal of transition from medieval time to romanticism. Furthermore, a discussion or implementation of the idea that was presented by Bakhtin will be done on Batman (1989) and Night before Christmas (1993). It is important to understand the context of carnival theory presented by Bakhtin before discussing the difference between medieval and modern carnival and the reasons behind transition. The contextual understanding of carnival by Bakhtin is based upon the European tradition of carnival. Critics claimed that Bakhtin took interest in assessing the seventh century forms of the grotesque because he was impressed by carnivals as he viewed them as occasions where the lows and highs of the society submerged together for some time. In simpler words, the authority of the church and state came together without any control. It will not be incorrect to state that Bakhtin’s account of carnival was anarchic where everyone liberated as audiences and performers (McNay, 1994). It has further been stated by Bakhtin that Carnivalesque bodies were involved in the use of absurd or laughter in order to present the difference between life and death. Festivity lingered all these years in order to provide people to express their views about life. In short, carnival was just a way to provide a platform for expression for people in all geographic locations of societies over the years. It should be noted that carnival rather gave a way to people to cherish their identity and presence by giving up undertaking a re-birth of experiences (Muggleton, 2000). There is no boundary when it comes to taking different roles within carnival as it the convention itself is communal in nature. As noted, Bakhtin celebrates the mediaeval culture of the carnival, but he does this in the context of its relevance to the development of the classic literature of the Renaissance ; Rabelais, Shakespeare, Cervantes, Dante and Boccaccio etc. Moreover, Bakhtin asserts that the Renaissance would not have happened without the carnival , for in the carnival tradition the key figures of the Renaissance found the freedom to escape the rigid orthodoxy of feudal Christianity and so to re-interpret the ancient humanist classics (Hebdige, 1997). This greatly shows that carnival rather gave a way out to people to find a manner in which they could express themselves without being under control of monarchs. Notwithstanding, it enabled a genuine dialogue between bourgeoisie and higher authorities. Also, the re-birth is associated with the expression that no dead body can be considered as deal because it reproduces. Today, carnival has taken a different figure from that of ancient times. It should be noted that carnival during the medieval era was a celebration of death. The concept of Carnivalesque, as focused and expressed by Bakhtin, profoundly undertook intervening into several explanatory works including Danse Macabre painted by Micheal Wolgemut. The painting illustrated death and celebration as skeletons have been projected to be dancing. The interpretation of carnival as associated with traditional times discusses the dichotomy of life and death. Many interpretations that have been put forward by the critics and assessors of Bakhtin claim that he has rather discussed a great deal about the decaying old bodies turning into a new thing (Downing, 2008). In the modern times, carnival has rather taken another shape and definition. Modern way of carnival explains that there can be two roles played by one body. An individual who is to play the role of villain is and was a potential hero. As per various researches, it came to understanding that carnival in the modern days have changed by large in three respective ways. Firstly, carnival in modern times is being considered as an occasion of masquerade. With the help of mask, it has rather become easier to pose different characters by one individual. With the help of this quality of carnival, it became rather common for people of different gender and beliefs to express themselves. Some of the visible examples can be taken from the apocalypse and gays movement for rights. This shows that people who are different and divergent from the standardized notions make use of carnival to allow others to understand their point of views as carnival is communal and gives everyone a fair chance of joining the carnival (McNay, 1994). In modern times, carnivals are rather considered as a leisure act where people come to the occasion for the purpose of joke. The consideration that has been long given to the carnival and different variations of activities that now have been observed in modern carnival shows us the transition in carnival. The format of the television and other media presentation of societal subjects have rather become humoristic. This shows that the intensity of seriousness of phenomenology of carnival in medieval time is far different from the modern times (Hebdige, 1997). The aspect of masks allowing people to make use of two facets which is an evident feature of the carnival arrangement in modern times is visible from the film Batman (1989). It should be noted that the character of Joker which was played by Jack Napier has presented two sides of an individual. At one point, one may see him as an individual who is a gentleman while on the other hand; it becomes easier to note that he transforms his personality. In simpler words, dramatization of carnival in the context of individual and their masquerades shows us that Carnivalesque bodies tend to undertake various roles to persuade thinking schema (Muggleton, 2000). Structural factors involving the phenomenological experiences of different characters are evident through the protagonist of Batman as well. This denotes that more and more intensity can be understood when the protagonist undertakes a mask and fights against the evil. There are a number of features of masquerades that show the aspect of baboonish way of undertaking carnival in modern times. He played a role of an extinguisher who punishes everyone who committed evil. Here, the roles are divergent because not anyone from the storyline is posed to know what the real self is. Under the new definition of carnival, the flipping side of the coin, or the character shows distinctive roles. Herein, the second film that shows us the modern form of carnival and its interpretation is Nightmare before Christmas. Overall, the impact of the interpretation has been great in terms of carnival that results in transition. Now, the concept of carnival as presented by Bakhtin is in a reduced form. As a matter of fact, the film revolves around the carnival or celebration of Christmas which is tried to be demolishes and ruined by Halloween city. However, the end of the film does not end on the goal of the villain. Herein, the discussion and one of the interpretations of Bakhtin can be studied in detail. As Christmas is an occasion that has a tradition origin of metaphors (biblical standing), subcultures originated later on and have no consideration as carnival. People in modern times find different tools to show that they have passed through the carnival features. This is merely because the masquerades allowed people to bestow their thoughts and aspirations as they dealt with various forms of expression. Today, considering the emo, and people who follow Halloween traditions so intensely have formed a subculture. This is more or less the best example of consideration given to carnival (McNay, 1994). Through the above discussion, it comes to understanding that carnival was of developing a connection among people where people from different levels of the society and walks of life came together for celebration. As different from the tines of carnival under strict church control, the modern carnival was made a way of celebration. Previously, carnival was considered as a way to bring different levels into a surrogated one. Throughout the period of romanticism, phenomenological practices and experiences underwent major changes. These transitions are evident from fact that more and more emphasis is now put on masquerade. The view of carnival was rather in terms of celebrating death. In simpler words, it can be said that life that ends once, is more likely to leave out a way for another to begin. The example which was aforementioned also marks that the literature in medieval times talked about eternal dance and one level for all where a life ends and gives a way for the new one to begin. The example of films has also shown us that interpretation of carnival has changed in modern times. Now, more and more stress in being posed on people having different characters to play. List of References Downing, L., 2008. The History of Sexuality. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Hebdige, D., 1997. ‘Subculture: The Meaning of Style. London : Routledge. McNay, L., 1994. From Discipline to Government in Foucault: A Critical Introduction. Cambridge: Polity Press. Muggleton, D., 2000. Inside Subculture: The Postmodern Meaning of Style. London: Berg. Read More

 

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