The Value of the Virgin
When it comes to powerful religious figures, the Virgin Mary seems to be alone in a Boys' Club. Many people look at the Christian faith and assume it favors males because all of its spiritual leaders are male (Jesus, the Apostles, and even God is called "He"). However, the Virgin Mary does play an important role in the religion. Her influence can be observed, even as early as the Middle Ages. During this time (from about 500 to 1400 or 1500) the Virgin Mary was a symbol whose role gradually grew in importance. The Middle Ages were a time of turmoil and war in Europe. Lands constantly changed their rulers, and plagues ravaged the countryside killing hundreds of poverty stricken people. As these sorrows swam around them in the pool of their dismal lives, the people had no scientific explanations to look to, and therefore turned to faith. Churches and monasteries became some of the most important places on the continent. Also, because of the fall of the Roman Empire and the constant war-fare, trade was nearly impossible and great merchant cities became obsolete, with more and more families leaving their urban homes for more rural ones. It was only the Church, with its monasteries, that provided a source of knowledge, becoming the
Here we see the emotional emphasis that was put on Mary. No longer did she just symbolize women, motherhood, or queenlyness, she now had a significant role as a leader and voice in the religion. Two important things are introduced in this painting; symbolism and a secular environment. It is also interesting to note that in almost every portrayal of her, Mary wears the clothes of the upper class, although she was extremely poor and in reality would never have been able to afford such attire (Benton 282). One example of this is the Enthroned Virgin and Child, which was made of carved wood and linens around the late 1100s in France. " In turn, Jesus asks God, "My father let those be saved for whom you wished me to suffer the Passion" (Cloisters, Monaco Label). Another depiction of Mary without her son was Death (Dormition) of the Virgin, a wood relief carving produced in Germany around the late 15th century from the workshop of Tilman van der Burch. This shows how Mary had progressed to being worshipped herself. However, even in this early work, and almost all of the depictions of the virgin that are found after, her hair is covered or something is on it, symbolizing her virginity. There is one painting that does a very good job of showing how much of an equal Mary had become in the religion. Called Virgin and Child Enthroned between Saints and Angels, it dates from the late 6th century (Janson and Janson 255). One example of these is the Merode Altarpiece which was done in the Netherlands by Robert Campin around 1425 to 1430. To top it off, she is "clothed in sun, with the moon under her feet" as was said by St. Here we see Mary's strong influence, her ability to sway the mind of Jesus and God, once again showing her as a strong player in the religion. The fact that Mary and Christ are the same size is one way that shows they are equal.
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Acceptance Essays
