HIST 274 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Aristocracy, Age Of Enlightenment, Social Class
16 Jan 2017
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Week 1 part 2: aristocracy and the enlightenment. Monarchy and nobility were on the opposite side politically but had common cultural beliefs and orientation. Noble and aristocratic culture was based on the principle that the person was completely defined by their social status. Someone"s intelligence, moral character, and emotions were all thought to be reflections of one"s social standing. Social status and culture were meant to be expressed. French culture tended towards external display and spectacle. i. e. louis 14th and the reconstruction of french culture and making the monarchy appear more luxurious (standing army, versailles, etc. ) to emphasize the monarch"s character and greatness. The opera was the most important occasion for the aristocracy. Also a kind of respect for the nature of the event. Occasion that impacts people psychologically and for people to discover their interior selves (brings out emotions, appreciations, etc. ) Concerts and operas were social occasions where people went to see and to be seen in the.
