Medieval themes/motives
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 6:22 pm
First I should say sorry for my language in this topic I will use wording which I don't know how should properly sound in english.
At the end of my education (I never gone on university) I had to make a work -> "Medieval themes/motives in fantasy literature".
I picked this work thinking it's easy. After reading more about I discovered that everything what before reminded me medieval like swords, castles, battles, pre industrial economy like feudalism, or knights have nothing to do with medieval actually (maybe knights have something, but I will write about later). Anyway I got 4/5 I could get 5/5 (best rate) if I would be better speaker.
Well. This topic is directed to those who would like to play really a characters who are children of era.
There exist concepts which can we use in game and some which we cannot. I won't explain these concepts because it will make my post huge.
Universalism - Common values or one religion is something we can't rp, but we have one language. One land, one culture. Example: Holy Roman Empire of German Nation.
Teocentrism - Concepts in which Gods (in medieval one God) are in center of live is possible to rp, and my char in example it's most important value. Gods are everything. Look at medieval knights orders.
Didacticism - It's rather literature concept but also in game we can create ideals for knights, lords, subjects or saints (in game rather priests) with avoiding playing pure good/evil characters. Just creatings common values and know-how for these groups. Samwise Gamgee was my example for ideal of subject in that work.
Death - For my char who is follower of Zhambra death is only a step to better live after. Memento mori, ars moriendi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzAqfYVp9mg
Love, Brave and Customs - Especially medieval literature of romances. In medieval existed huge hierarchy and sofisticated customs. Medieval bard who was singing about love or epic battles, brave knights was something like early youtube ;p Most wanted were stories which ended bad for heroes who were acting against law or customs, but were good people. Law and custom must win. Read Tristan and Isolde.
Evil - In medieval evil was personfied. Evil were those who are from other culture or were enemies of God. Example: Pagans. In Tales of Round Table Merlin born after rape on pious woman by Satan.
Asceticism - Earthly goods are nothing compared to life after death. My char wears simple clothes and silice (haircloth) to focus fully on his faith.
I had a confrontation once with other player who told me that I create faith in opposit to lore. Example in fantasy literature: Frodo, he picks rather a mission to save world than pleasures which left in Shire.
I tried to make this topic short. I point that I don't demand from players to play according to these rules. And I repeat this topic is directed to those who want play their chars in line with medieval spirit.
Playing as medieval man or woman is only your decision and there is nothing in lore forcing you to play in this style.
At the end of my education (I never gone on university) I had to make a work -> "Medieval themes/motives in fantasy literature".
I picked this work thinking it's easy. After reading more about I discovered that everything what before reminded me medieval like swords, castles, battles, pre industrial economy like feudalism, or knights have nothing to do with medieval actually (maybe knights have something, but I will write about later). Anyway I got 4/5 I could get 5/5 (best rate) if I would be better speaker.
Well. This topic is directed to those who would like to play really a characters who are children of era.
There exist concepts which can we use in game and some which we cannot. I won't explain these concepts because it will make my post huge.
Universalism - Common values or one religion is something we can't rp, but we have one language. One land, one culture. Example: Holy Roman Empire of German Nation.
Teocentrism - Concepts in which Gods (in medieval one God) are in center of live is possible to rp, and my char in example it's most important value. Gods are everything. Look at medieval knights orders.
Didacticism - It's rather literature concept but also in game we can create ideals for knights, lords, subjects or saints (in game rather priests) with avoiding playing pure good/evil characters. Just creatings common values and know-how for these groups. Samwise Gamgee was my example for ideal of subject in that work.
Death - For my char who is follower of Zhambra death is only a step to better live after. Memento mori, ars moriendi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzAqfYVp9mg
Love, Brave and Customs - Especially medieval literature of romances. In medieval existed huge hierarchy and sofisticated customs. Medieval bard who was singing about love or epic battles, brave knights was something like early youtube ;p Most wanted were stories which ended bad for heroes who were acting against law or customs, but were good people. Law and custom must win. Read Tristan and Isolde.
Evil - In medieval evil was personfied. Evil were those who are from other culture or were enemies of God. Example: Pagans. In Tales of Round Table Merlin born after rape on pious woman by Satan.
Asceticism - Earthly goods are nothing compared to life after death. My char wears simple clothes and silice (haircloth) to focus fully on his faith.
I had a confrontation once with other player who told me that I create faith in opposit to lore. Example in fantasy literature: Frodo, he picks rather a mission to save world than pleasures which left in Shire.
I tried to make this topic short. I point that I don't demand from players to play according to these rules. And I repeat this topic is directed to those who want play their chars in line with medieval spirit.
Playing as medieval man or woman is only your decision and there is nothing in lore forcing you to play in this style.