The Late Middle Ages:
The late middle ages was a time of new developments in arts and science, and when scholars developed a better understanding of the human mind. Although the middle ages are better known as the "Dark Ages" it was only so in Europe, plagues like the Black Death haunted the European countries and progress came to a halt. Muslim scholars and philosophers on the other hand, came up with many new works and new ways of thinking along with the countries in the far east. This was also a prosperous time for new inventions and innovations like the invention of an irrigation system in Spain or a the development of a new math system. The Late Middle Ages was a time of change and new ways of thinking. |
Image source: en.wikipedia.org
Light in the Dark Ages
While the period in time called the dark ages might have been dark and unproductive in Europe, the Middle eastern countries flourished bringing new innovations and inventions to the world. Historians and the modern world seem to think that the world and its history revolves around the European countries, and it is for this particular reason that the period in history known as the dark ages was thought to have a halt in all human advancement. A great of example of human advancement in the Dark ages came from the middle east. The innovation began when the Abbasids took over middle eastern countries in 1150 and started an empire. All sorts of advancements started to take place, some examples being the Muslim's development of algebra, trigonometry, and perhaps the most prestigious of all, "zero" . Muslims also took huge strides in medicine and agriculture, bringing Spain drinkable water and irrigation systems from nearby bodies of water. Middle eastern scholars also translated manuscripts of Greek philosophers which otherwise would have been lost. The Muslims and all their technological advancements and discoveries are proof that the Dark ages weren't really dark at all. |
Depth Psychology: The Basis for Archetypal Analysis
This six weeks we are learning about archetypes, and applying a physiological approach called "archetypal Analysis" to different movies and stories that we are familiar with. This approach involves looking for symbols that have generally been repeated over time and by different cultures. To really understand what archetypes are and where they come from, one must be familiar with the theories of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung regarding the collective unconscious. |
Archetypes of the Quest in Anastasiaby: Sam
A Synopsis of the Quest Archetypes in Anastasia (1997)
Anya, the hero of this journey, is eighteen years old and remembers nothing from her past. She has no memory of a family or of anything from her past her only clue is a necklace she has had since before she can remember that says; “together in Paris,” which can be considered her Magic Weapon. On her eighteenth birthday she is kicked out of the orphanage and told to go to work a fish market. At a fork in the road she debates on whether to go to the market or to St. Petersburg to begin the search for her family. It is here where she meets the friendly beast Pooka. She makes the courageous decision to go to St. Petersburg to board a train to Paris however she is stopped while trying to get a ticket due to her lack of travel papers. As she is walking away an old lady tells her to go see Dimitri for assistance, and that is where her journey begins. Anya finds her soon to be Loyal companions Dimitri and Vladimir in the old Romanov castle. It is here that they tell her she resembles the long lost Duchess Anastasia and announce her Task. This is also when Bartok, Rasputin’s minion informs Rasputin of Anastasia’s return. After she reluctantly accepts The call they hop on a train and start their journey to Paris. It is here where they experience the first trial. The Devil Figure Rasputin, who is in limbo (Place of extremity) uses his power to sabotage the train and they are forced to jump off. This is how they come to the Second trial, Anya is feeling discouraged and doubts that she can act like royalty. Vladimir and Dimitri train her in the arts of manners and teach her things that the real Anastasia would know. Her spirits are lifted as she approaches the Third trial, which requires her to prove that she really is the Grand Duchess Anastasia to Sophie the Dowager's niece. As she is talking to Sophie some of her memory is recovered, and Dimitri figures out that Anya is the real Anastasia. After Sophie’s questions, she informs them that the dowager will not see anymore young ladies that claim to be a Anastasia, but with a subtle wink informs Vladimir that they will be at the Ballet later on that night. This is wear Anya encounters the Fourth Trial of her journey. At the ballet Anya finds out that Dimitri used her to collect reward money and stomps out of the theater without seeing the dowager. Later on that night as Anya is packing her belongings The Dowager walks into her room and asks who she is. Anya informs her that she doesn't know, and that despite everything all she wants is a family. It is at this point where the Dowager takes out a music box (the second Magic Weapon) which opens with the insertion of her necklace. This is when Anya’s memory is full restored and the Dowager is sure that she really is Anastasia. The death of Anya’s old self occurs here and she is now The Grand Duchess Anastasia. At a ball the next evening Anastasia is torn on whether or not to go after Dimitri because it was revealed to her that he did not take any reward money after all. This is when the Dowager becomes her Mentor and advises her to follow her heart because she will forever have a home in Paris. As the Dowager enters the ball leaving Anastasia torn and confused Pooka growls and runs into the garden with Anastasia following him. This is where the Final and Ultimate Trial takes place. Rasputin determined to carry out the Romanov curse tries to kill Anastasia by knocking her off a bridge. It is also here that Rasputin creates Creature’s of Nightmare to help carry out his evil deed. Anastasia defeats Rasputin and runs away with Dimitri leaving a note for her Grandmother explaining that she will see her again. At end of the movie we also find that Bartok is also the EFUG because he is enjoying Anastasia’s new found happiness. The Apotheosis of this journey is that the orphan Anya became the Grand Duchess Anastasia and figured out where she belonged. |