Baroque Style and Culture the

Baroque Style and Culture The works chosen are "Spring" by Antonio Vivaldi, Bernini's "Michelangelo," and "To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell. All of these represent the highest of Baroque style and culture because of the elements that make up each work. In fact, they could be quintessential Baroque works because they are emotional, elaborate, and elicit emotional responses in the viewer and listener. Each of these pieces contains elements that make them uniquely Baroque.

Vivaldi's "Spring" may be one of the most famous pieces of music to endure through time. It is so common that listening to it is like listening to an old friend that you have listened to very often in the past. It is light and happy music, totally representative of the rebirth of the natural world during spring. Thus, it is a perfect Baroque piece. It is complex while it seems simple, and it uses sound metaphors to create the notes of birds, storms, and other natural events.

It celebrates the natural world with elaborate sections that repeat themselves in tone and different keys. It is also emotional, because it helps the listener think of spring, which is a favorite season for many people. It seems like Baroque style was elaborate and dramatic, but it was also hopeful, and did not point such a bleak picture of the future, and this piece has all those elements. Marvell's poem is often studied in English literature classes around the world.

Like the rest of Baroque style, it is elaborate and addicted to form, often even over substance. However, that is not the case with this poem. The poem is quite strict in its form, (every other line rhymes), but its substance is strong and forceful. It is a fluent celebration of love and lust, even a bit florid by today's standards.

For example, the poet writes, "Let us roll all our strength, and all / Our sweetness, up into one ball; / and tear our pleasures with rough strife / Thorough the iron gates of life. / Thus, though we cannot make our sun / Stand still, yet we will make him run" (Marvell). The imagery of this section is another element identifying the poem as Baroque. Imagery and metaphor were extremely important in Baroque works, and sometimes metaphors became their own metaphors yet again.

This poem's images are strong, such as "the iron gates of life," and they create an elaborate and memorable work that is truly Baroque in style. Included are many natural elements common in life, like birds, gardens, and even the sun, which are also elements that point to a Baroque, romantic style. Bernini's "David" is a fine example classical Baroque artwork. One element that is solidly Baroque is the power and movement of the piece. It is not static or frozen in time.

"David" is active, getting ready to slay the giant, and this movement is quite representative of the Baroque style. So is the elaborate clothing David wears, while other versions were unclothed. Elaborate style is part of the Baroque era, and this statue is much more elaborate than any other David created up until then. Finally, the statue exudes emotion, which is another Baroque trait. Unlike the stoic statues of the Renaissance, the Baroque style was emotional and much freer, and this statue represents that perfectly.

Each of these selections reflects the influence of Baroque culture. They are more elaborate and emotional than Renaissance works, and they bring out emotion in the viewer or.