The Dance of Death

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Death & Dying, Customs & Traditions, Folklore & Mythology
Cover of the book The Dance of Death by Francis Douce, Francis Douce
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Francis Douce ISBN: 9786050406030
Publisher: Francis Douce Publication: August 17, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Francis Douce
ISBN: 9786050406030
Publisher: Francis Douce
Publication: August 17, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English

The manner in which the poets and artists of antiquity have symbolized or personified Death, has excited considerable discussion; and the various opinions of Lessing, Herder, Klotz, and other controversialists have only tended to demonstrate that the ancients adopted many different modes to accomplish this purpose. Some writers have maintained that they exclusively represented Death as a mere skeleton; whilst others have contended that this figure, so frequently to be found upon gems and sepulchral monuments, was never intended to personify the extinction of human life, but only as a simple and abstract representation. They insist that the ancients adopted a more elegant and allegorical method for this purpose; that they represented human mortality by various symbols of destruction, as birds devouring lizards and serpents, or pecking fruits and flowers; by goats browsing on vines; cocks fighting, or even by a Medusa’s or Gorgon’s head. The Romans seem to have adopted Homer’s definition of Death as the eldest brother of Sleep; and, accordingly, on several of their monumental and other sculptures we find two winged genii as the representatives of the above personages, and sometimes a genius bearing a sepulchral vase on his shoulder, and with a torch reversed in one of his hands. It is very well known that the ancients often symbolized the human soul by the figure of a butterfly, an idea that is extremely obvious and appropriate, as well as elegant.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The manner in which the poets and artists of antiquity have symbolized or personified Death, has excited considerable discussion; and the various opinions of Lessing, Herder, Klotz, and other controversialists have only tended to demonstrate that the ancients adopted many different modes to accomplish this purpose. Some writers have maintained that they exclusively represented Death as a mere skeleton; whilst others have contended that this figure, so frequently to be found upon gems and sepulchral monuments, was never intended to personify the extinction of human life, but only as a simple and abstract representation. They insist that the ancients adopted a more elegant and allegorical method for this purpose; that they represented human mortality by various symbols of destruction, as birds devouring lizards and serpents, or pecking fruits and flowers; by goats browsing on vines; cocks fighting, or even by a Medusa’s or Gorgon’s head. The Romans seem to have adopted Homer’s definition of Death as the eldest brother of Sleep; and, accordingly, on several of their monumental and other sculptures we find two winged genii as the representatives of the above personages, and sometimes a genius bearing a sepulchral vase on his shoulder, and with a torch reversed in one of his hands. It is very well known that the ancients often symbolized the human soul by the figure of a butterfly, an idea that is extremely obvious and appropriate, as well as elegant.

More books from Folklore & Mythology

Cover of the book Konpè Lapen é Konpè Tig by Francis Douce
Cover of the book Gods, Heroes and Men of Ancient Greece by Francis Douce
Cover of the book The Pied Piper Of Hamelin (Folklore History Series) by Francis Douce
Cover of the book As-tu peur? 5 - Extraterrestres by Francis Douce
Cover of the book African American Folktales by Francis Douce
Cover of the book Myths and Legends of the Celts by Francis Douce
Cover of the book Scatterlings by Francis Douce
Cover of the book El Calafate by Francis Douce
Cover of the book Curiosities of Superstition by Francis Douce
Cover of the book I Figli dei Titani - Vol. 6 by Francis Douce
Cover of the book Everyday Life by Francis Douce
Cover of the book Myths and Mysteries of the Civil War by Francis Douce
Cover of the book Italian Sword&Sorcery by Francis Douce
Cover of the book A Christmas Tree by Francis Douce
Cover of the book Eden in the Altai by Francis Douce
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy