Comparative Study of Text and Context

Exploring Connections

Richard III, William ShakespeareLooking for Richard by Al Pacino

Compare: To examine in order to note the similarities

or differences of text, context & values:

Humanism

Humanism: affirms the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to

determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities—particularly reason.

In focusing on the capacity for self-determination, humanism rejects transcendental justifications, such as a dependence on faith, the supernatural, or divinely revealed texts.

The crisis of Renaissance humanism came with the trial of Galileo (1632), which forced the choice between reason and faith. The trial made the contradictions between humanism and traditional religion visibly apparent to all, and humanism was branded a "dangerous doctrine".

Why dangerous?

Man has replaced God.

Without God, without a transcendental law, there is only death.

Renaissance man created himself: Humanism values…

Self-determination Free-will Honour & Integrity Reason Emancipation

Shakespeare created Richard III within this context.

Humanism has come full circle (360 years) between 1602 – 1964 and has had a profound impact on:

Politics Philosophy Religion Society Culture

The profound paradigm shift that European culture faced with the birth of humanism is matched by the challenge of the twentieth century and the death

of humanism.

Humanist values have become their opposite.

From_______to_________ Self-determination Free-will Honour & Integrity

Reason Emancipation

Conformity Determinism Degradation &

Decay Irrationality Obedience

…life is absurd and horrible!

Politics produced: Fascism Communism Total war Nationalism Totalitarianism

Philosophy produced: Existentialism Angst Dread Relativism Postmodernism

Society produced: Suburbs The middle class Supermarkets Mass education Freeways Recreational drugs Convenience

Artists responded by creating: The absurd Cubism Surrealism

The two texts have a relationship: Text: exploration & treatment of DEATH.

Characters & society’s attitude to DEATH. Context: Humanism. Values: Self-determination / Conformity

Free-will / DeterminismHonour & Integrity / Degradation & Decay

Reason / Irrationality Emancipation / Obedience