Renaissance Identity

Hypatia of Alexandria

In the left-hand side of the Fresco to which Plato sections off, stands Hypatia of Alexandria, conversing with Parmenides on her left, who is also a Greek philosopher. Raphael’s placement of Hypatia is unique as she was supposed to not appear in the painting due to her open-mind which opposed the Church. Originally, she was meant to appear as one of the prime characters, centered near the focal point of Plato and Aristotle. Hypatia was the first woman recognized for significant contributions of mathematical and philosophical growth. Mathematics, though not a subject I strive in, appeals to me in its simplicity of calculations as it did to Hypatia. It is based around formulas, appearing as a subject of consistency. While I haven’t studied the art of philosophy, an endless sea of questions probes at my mind. These range from queries of existence, to how, and why we abuse our power as human beings on this Earth, and why we have deprived people of equality, and to this day still do in subtle ways. Being a woman, Hypatia’s open views and empowerment urged her to defy the Church’s heretic proclamations against mathematical and philosophical questioning. Hypatia, a symbol of independence, was not afraid to stand out and be heard, be seen. Her views were outspoken, her thoughts unguarded. I too believe that all opinions are to be taken in consideration. Although Hypatia was a nonbeliever in Christianity and this faith is strong in me, this difference doesn’t disguise the beliefs we share. Embracing knowledge, Hypatia was an influential woman, declaring that all should receive an education. This is also something that I feel strongly about, as this concern has followed us through the years, which is also why Hypatia, being a woman of the Renaissance, was shunned for expressing her opinions. Despite her attempts to practice what she preached, Hypatia was only to face death as she was a nonbeliever, went against the Church, and a woman. Visions of equality may seem fulfilled in our modern world, but without action, we are only to face a same fate of a demise of mind.

Mirroring Society

Reflections of light are shafts, opening the eyes of historians intrigued and absorbed in the moment. These are the eyes leading to discovery, willing to share new found knowledge. Art is to be interpreted by the reader. It is not only that emotions and feelings are depicted through art, but evidence of era is also captured – not through the lens of a camera, instead through the talent and persistence of dedicated artists. Past experiences, development, architecture, and important figures, are all revealed in art. The School of Athens is a sophisticated piece, clearly stating through the architecture and behavior of the painted figures that this painting, full of life, represents a rebirth of ideas, the Renaissance. Art drives steadfast minds towards hidden treasures of knowledge, piecing together clues. As a new age and era forms in front of you, art opens up the blinds of the window, creating an indication of how people and time are represented. Through the window, lay a field of answers – waiting to further illuminate. People reach out, only to be barricaded by their ignorance – a window which mirrors the past to which we yearn to enter and understand. In The School of Athens, art mirrors a civilization of growth, and the essence of a time far away, yet right before our contemporary world.

Eternal Flame

What comes out of hard-work, awaits you on the other side





Don’t Quit

Don't quit when the tide is lowest,
For it's just about to turn;
Don't quit over doubts and questions,
For there's something you may learn.
Don't quit when the night is darkest,
For it's just a while 'til dawn;
Don't quit when you've run the farthest,
For the race is almost won.
Don't quit when the hill is steepest,
For your goal is almost nigh;
Don't quit, for you're not a failure
Until you fail to try.
~ Jill Wolf

Faith and perseverance illuminate the soul, stopping time in its presence. What once separated us from others, now unites us through faith, and with faith, comes perseverance. It is faith and perseverance that guide us along our way to pursue our destiny and find our treasure. As long as faith is by your side, willing you to go on, time is on your side. However, it doesn’t ask that you postpone action, but that as long as you follow destiny’s path, then the choice is yours. Perseverance, persistence, and determination in what you believe. Faith is what drives you, perseverance, what carries you. Jill Wolf’s poem, ‘Don’t Quit’, speaks of these ideas and themes, stating that, you shouldn’t give up halfway, as, soon, lingering around the corner, come faith and hope knocking on your door. Of course perseverance is your priority, but, the message this poem delivers, is that of an undying flame. Shattered, yet still flickering, at least a glimmer of hope. There’s always one spark igniting, bursting into a harmonious melody of triumph. It is when one can claim their place, regaining their dignity, that they can feel proud for even the simplest accomplishment. This faith and perseverance unites all times, both eras distant and present, and cultures of all kinds. No matter how dissimilar we may be from one another, there are always more similarities overlooking our differences. Bound in a never-ending movement of faith, perseverance and hope, emotions transcended, we all sing the same songs in unison.

Wandering, Wondering Soul

Lost souls who failed to fulfill their destiny, are to be trapped in the sky in Van Goh's Starry Night (left)



Adventure
Adventure wanders out the door,
Dressed in a bold armor of gold,
Braving the barren roads before him.

Adventure is an experience that washes in low-key, like a budding wildflower, unnoticed until bloomed. Adventure is hardly planned, yet refuses to claim credit for the discoveries and memories you bring back. Adventure is what you make the most out of. This is how adventure wanders, it doesn’t demand, it is a calling. Adventure is bold. It is daring, courageous. Though it may target the timid, the journey it provides masks fear. Adventure accepts challenge. It is hard to reason with, yet understanding, very genuine. When danger arises, adventure seduces you in, brave and bold, yet never arrogant. Santiago set foot into the desert quite unaware of what was ahead of him. In his time, the modernistic advantages that follow us were not available back then. People too had to prioritize. Though Santiago’s father bide he become someone of religious power, only he truly knew that travel was his destiny. Culture in Santiago’s time was more demanding, less free, and less forgiving. Adventure has a distinct way of finding and following you, much like a predator stalking its prey. However, adventure builds you, shapes you, rather than destroying you. We crave adventure as it is something out of the ordinary, a change to routine. It is adventure that too shaped Santiago’s character. Realization struck him as he noticed that if his treasure had found him, rather than he having found his treasure, it would remain a possession, something almost of material. In our current day, we sing, praise, hail, material things. We chant, “mine is bigger”, therefore assuming better. As we allow mere possessions to define our character, we are forgetting that it is the simple things in life that we should account for. Santiago, a lost soul, full of curiosity, created his place in the world. The guiding hand of destiny didn’t summon him, but it was the thrill of adventure tied in, that invited him to embark on memories’ way.

Steadfast Bridges

The links on the chain resemble the similarities shared between people of different times and cultures

Perseverance is a trait that uniquely shapes me. I believe that perseverance comes in many different forms, as do people in different shapes and sizes. Each one can call themselves their own person. Perseverance for me is the ability to succeed with no boundaries, yet still keeping in mind existing limits. I’m most persevering when it comes to self-set goals. Like Santiago, I too am aware that much lies beyond my bounds, but in the near future, if I believe, I can accomplish. Sometimes it is hard to grasp things, and as I cast them aside, they gradually build up. This is where I set things into proportion, forming an accurate picture in my head. The future offers plenty of opportunities for one, yet I think that my trait best suits that of an advocate – someone who reasons, is persistent yet not demanding, and full of ideas. Having caught up with the world, I am in the constant search for a memory filter to clear my mind of ‘information overload.’ Though constantly swarmed with ideas and facts, I am able to narrow down what I want into a clearly labeled category. I live process, order and matter, though can too live free. Perseverance is what tells me to keep moving forward, and a key contributing factor to forming my values. As I stride across steadfast bridges, I connect my way through the world, following a destiny I have carved out before me.