MMW 11 Chapter Notes - Chapter Sourcebook: Sumptuary Law, Traffic Guard, Rieti
25 Oct 2016
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Signs and symbols: signs they occur naturally, symbols they have abstract meanings given to them by different human interpretation -> they stand for something. Behaviors are symbolic too -> a traffic guard puts his hands up to coordinate traffic, but a priest does so to symbolize blessing. Symbols can be made up of other symbols -> each star on the us flag stands for a state. Sounds symbolize categories of sounds (phonemes) -> symbolize words. Sumptuation: symbols = social ranking ie. golfers. If some golfers are not in high social positions, then others (wanting to keep social significance intact) will want to exclude these other golfers: famous roman case. Socially high ranking roman senators wore togas with purple borders. Such laws confining others from wearing such symbols = sumptuary laws. Mystification: using sumptuary symbols to justify political control mystification, using the fact that people will work for you s(cid:455)(cid:373)(cid:271)ol of o(cid:374)e"s so(cid:272)ial ranking, mystification make rulers seem divine and special.
