The Role of Music in Articulating National Identity and The Hegemony of France in the Seventeenth Century
Summary
The emergence of German aesthetics in the middle of the eighteenth century established art as an independent source of value and authority in human society. This article explores the role of music in articulating national identity, focusing on the veneration of Handel in England in the 18th century. Additionally, the text discusses the hegemony of France during the second half of the seventeenth century, with Louis XIV at the forefront.
Table of Contents
- The Emergence of German Aesthetics
- The Role of Music in Articulating National Identity
- The Battle of Fehrbellin
- The Hegemony of France in the Seventeenth Century
Q&A
Q: What is German aesthetics?
A: German aesthetics emerged in the middle of the eighteenth century and established art as an independent source of value and authority in human society. Neoclassicists such as Lessing rejected the hedonistic excesses of the rococo, and Sulzer argued that the use of the arts for representational purposes was a complete misunderstanding of their divine power.
Q: What was the goal of German aesthetic theory?
A: The goal of German aesthetic theory was to achieve a harmonious interaction between the rational and the sensual. The theory believed that aesthetic experience was an area in which human kind could achieve liberty without license and that art could be liberated from the scum and dregs of society and placed on an altar in unsullied safety.
Q: How did musicians contribute to the liberation of art?
A: Musicians found it the easiest to liberate art from the scum and dregs of society and to place it on an altar in unsullied safety. The romanticists hoped to reach ultimate reality through music because it seemed to derive from the eternal primordial chaos without having passed first through the ordering faculty of the human mind.
Q: How did Handel contribute to English national identity?
A: Handel gave voice to what supported English national identity, including Protestantism, prosperity, and power. Music and musicians, in general, were elevated to cultural hegemony, surpassing the previous hierarchy of artistic genres.
Q: What was the significance of the Battle of Fehrbellin?
A: The Battle of Fehrbellin was a decisive battle that began Brandenburg’s march to hegemony in Germany. The battle’s victory had far-reaching consequences, leading to military triumphs, but the ensuing peace treaty only provided modest frontier adjustment and the cession of the Swedes’ right to a share in the tolls of the Brandenburg part of Pomerania.
Q: Who was Louis XIV?
A: Louis XIV was a monarch who ruled France during the second half of the seventeenth century. He was known for his expansionist policies and his belief that war was essential to sovereignty.
Q: How did the Peace of Westphalia impact France?
A: The Peace of Westphalia provided France with little territory but greatly improved its security. Louis XIV’s power was enhanced by victories in war and diplomacy.
Q: Was Louis XIV successful in his military campaigns?
A: Louis XIV gained military success in the Netherlands and Franche-Comté, sparking a hostile triple alliance of the Dutch Republic, Sweden, and England. Despite his triumphs, Louis XIV was outraged by the Dutch’s ingratitude and bad faith.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this article sheds a light on two significant events in European history – the emergence of German aesthetics and the hegemony of France during the seventeenth century. It is fascinating to see how cultural movements and artistic expressions have played a significant role in shaping national identities and political power struggles. From Handel’s music to Louis XIV’s military campaigns, the article demonstrates how art and politics have long been intertwined in Europe.
