1. What was the socio-cultural function of the feasts of Corpus Christi? How did these festivals serve as celebrations of "the body?" What socio-political groups interests were served by the festivities?
The feast of Corpus Christi was a grand annual celebration that honored the body of Christ during the middle ages. Though the event was historical in nature, literary and performance scholars (more than historians) have noted the feast's effects on medieval culture. In this essay, I will discuss the socio-cultural function of the feasts. I will also look at how the festivals served as celebrations of "the body" and what socio-political groups interests were served by the feasts.
The feast of Corpus Christi allowed citizens to express a social bond, which contributes to social integration. In other words, the feast aided in creating communitas, the sense of sharing and intimacy that develops among persons who experience liminality as a group. Moreover, Corpus Christi lured people of all status; thus, all occupations were honored (from the peasants to the nobles). This inclusive participation allowed everyone to enjoy the feast, network, and engage in human bonding, which is important to the human psyche. The ritual also placed great importance on celebrating "the body."
The Corpus Christi feasts celebrated the body of Christ. In this context, the term "body" refers to the relationship between the self and the supernatural. In addition to the secular importance, the "body" may have also had social relevance. The ritual was utilized as a way to disentangle social differentation; thus, the masses both affirmed and created the symbol of the social body, which was the body of Christ. Through engaging in this commemorative and social occasion, I believe many of the lower status groups received the opportunity to move up the social ladder.
The middle class (or the gilds) during the era of Corpus Christi reaped the benefits of social mobility. Since this time in history marked the beginning of the middle class, gilds were more equipped to develop famous dramatic cycles that might be recognized by the wealthy. Likewise, a large event such as the Corpus Christi may have brought forth an abundance of commercial activity, which is helpful to both the community (urban markets) and individual working towards upward mobility. Finally, the feast made networking more easily accessible, as the celebration enticed the elite.
In conclusion, the feast of Corpus Christi was a celebration that aided in developing social togetherness. The secular undertone of celebrating the "body of Christ" in combination with the feelings of communitas during the festivities lead to opportunities of advancement in society. My question is: Where can you witness such an event today? How can the middle class advance in society when the middle class is disappearing?
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Lovely essay! You ask where you can witness an event similar to Corpus Christi today, Mardi Gras is an excellent example. It begins with excess allowing the body to have what we deny it the rest of the year, bodies in motion with other bodies, and concludes with lent/ash Wednesday.So similar to Corpus Christi, Mardi Gras allows for excess and asks for repentance and a period of giving up something you as the individual holds dear or enjoys. Much like Corpus Christi
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoy reading your essay. The question that you ended your essay with was very interesting. Do you really think that the middle class is disappearing? Comparing to other cultures, wouldnt you say that United States has a well developed middle class? One of the reason most people want to come to the States is because of the opportunities that are given to people. ex:Freedom of speech. In most countries, people dont have the right to even have a say in choices made in society- Compared to other countries, someone who is not financially stable has a car in the states. Isnt this a sign of the existance of middle class?
ReplyDeleteIt's guild -- not gild.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Damla. The US middle class may be a little poorer right now than we have been in the past fifty years, but we're far from disappearing.
As far as the essay goes, I'd like to say more about this idea of the body -- real, metaphorical, and political -- being the center of this celebration. I think if you did that you'd be able to answer your own question about the types of parallels to these feasts that exist today. In fact, if you choose to re-write this essay for your final, I'd like to see you draw a modern parallel to the feast of Corpus Christi.
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ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of the idea we expressed in class about the partaking of the Body, the celebration of the Body, being a form of "metaphorical cannibalism." To me this is analogous to modern day communion that many demoninations partake in. Also, what evidence do you present that suggests that the middle class is disappearing?
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