¶ … Cannibals

REPLY: I agree as well that the two artists have far different views of man, Earth, and sin. Bosch's work looks cartoonish and unreal, like a Monty Python caricature. His work just looks sinful and lustful, while Michelangelo's represents peace and hope. This mirrors what Montaigne was saying in this essay, that there are two very different sides to society, and they view them as good or bad, with little gray area in between. Bosch sees the world full of sinners who will pay in Hell, while Michelangelo sees the world full of goodness, and the hope of Heaven for those who believe. Neither is right or wrong, and it seems our modern world is simply a blend of both of these ideas. There is great evil in the world, but there is still goodness and hope as well. These artists just mirror two different aspects of society and life.

REPLY: That is very interesting, I did not notice those items at first glace at all, in fact, I thought the "A" was some kind of ghastly tree trunk sprouting branches. I noticed the animals, the sensuality, and the angels flying to Heaven carrying off pieces of these "earthly delights," which made me wonder why they had to take sin or debauchery to Heaven. I also wondered what the four "islands" or buildings in the lake represented. One seemed to represent war, and other our easily "cracked" world under our feet. Obviously, all of the symbolism in the painting relates to sin and non-belief, but it is so filled with detail that it is hard to take it all in at once. Viewing it in person would probably clear up a lot of questions about it. it's also interesting that there is a group of animals in the center of the picture - it is almost reminiscent of Noah leading the animals two by two to the Ark. Is Bosch saying the only innocence on Earth is in the animals?

References

Montaigne, Michel D. "Of Cannibals." Victorian Web. 2003. 26 Jan. 2007. http://www.victorianweb.org/courses/nonfiction/montaigne/cannibals.html