Game of Thrones: Art and Power at the Renaissance Court

Game of Thrones: Art and Power at the Renaissance Court

Professor Bass

DUE TUESDAY, MAY 5TH AT 10:30AM IN HARD COPYAT THE BEGINNING OF THE FINAL EXAM (NO EXCEPTIONS!)

Specs:

3 pages, typed, double-spaced, andprinted out with your name at top of the page

Question:

CerseiLannister, one of the main characters in Game of Thrones, declares early in the series, “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.”

Yet as we have seen this semester, power plays at the Renaissance court (whether they involved wealth, status, military might, sexuality, or learning) were not always a life-or-death matter but instead were often simulated and performedthrough works of art.

How was the “game” of authoritative rule performed through the images, objects, and cultural practices with which Renaissance court rulers engaged?

Instructions:

-compare and contrast3 starred images, each from a different lecture this semester that are directly relevant to the question

-include at least ONE starred image from before the midterm

-refer to at least ONE primary source reading. These include:Ludovico Ariosto, Orlando Furioso (2/2), Olivier de la Marche, “The Feast of the Pheasant” (2/4), Gabriel Tetzel, The Travels of Leo of Rozmital(2/9), Baldassare Castiglione, The Book of the Courtier (2/11), Olivier de la Marche, “The Marriage Feast of Charles the Bold” (3/18) and Antoine de la Sale, The One Hundred New Tales (4/15).

-draw on your other readings, lecture terms, and the discussions in class/on the blog

-n.b.you do not have to identify each image in full, but it should be entirely clear to which works you are referring

Time Frame:

Plan your essay carefully in advance, but I expect you to spend just ONE HOUR writing it. Your writing need not be as precise as for your papers, but do make sure your thoughts are clear, well-supported, and that all information is correct. After all, this essay is entirely open book!

Assessment:

I will grade your essay on the following criteria:

-overall structure and coherence of your essay, including a clear opening thesis

-thoughtful and unified choice of three images for discussion (don’t choose randomly!)

-depth and accuracy of your analysis of each individual image

-demonstrative effort both to discuss both similarities and differences in the performative impact of the selected works