The lives of medieval monks doesn’t seem to jump at me. I feel like this religious group has their taboo customs just like any other group. What I found puzzling was the kinds of monks. Specifically the last two (sarabaites and gyratory). I had the notion that their were classifications as to how someone would be known as a monk. Whether it be through good deeds, the way they dress or the oath they took. These two did not fit my preconceptions.
In the plan for building the new monastery the beneficial part that i saw would be the perfection of the craftsmanship of the stonemasons, bricklayers and carpenters without the aid of modern technology. I like the fact that they are trying to create an historic masterpiece as accurately as they can. When I asked myself why wouldn’t they consider using some form of modern technology I immediately thought about what margaret kilgallen said in the video. “My hand will always be imperfect because it’s human…. That’s where the beauty is.” I completely agree with her. This pertains to any form of art. The building of the monastery will not be perfect but every brick will tell a story about the artist that worked on it.
Convent of St Gall (Just some back story on the town and what the monks did. Interesting pieces of literary art.)
You make several good points on the existence of hierarchy in monastic communities and the emphasis on craftsmanship. The video link gives a wonderfully concise overview of illuminated manuscripts and the scriptorium, which we’ll discuss in class this coming week. I’ve never seen it, thanks for posting!
I was always interested in how other people around the world lived in the past and lives in the present. I would not mine taking a week to lived how they lived. I will have to disagree with Tony. The life as a monk seems interesting and did jump out to me. Only having two meals a day and drinking a half a liter of wine a day. Imagine the modern world living like this. That would be insane, since we experience the life style we live today. It seems like their lives were strictly monitored. It is completely opposite from the lives Americans live today.
I think that the most appealing part of the construction of the medieval monastery is that they are building this without modern technology. I too like that fact that they are building this monastery without modern technology. It give the workers more appreciation about how much modern technology help them through out their lives. Another benefit is the fact that they can experience what workers in the medieval time went through in order to built these structures.
It would be interesting for use to leave a week in there place, but it will be right work because we are use to all of this new technology,and having not limit on how many time we can eat.
Let’s take how people did construction back then ,if we try to do that over here for only one test they will lose money and take longer to finish.