Renaissance vs. Medieval: One of these things is not like the other…

 

Hi.

Consider me your friendly tour guide for this wandering about in history business.

First off,
let us consider dates.

The Renaissance period lasted from the very tail end of the 15th century
(starting, really, with Gutenberg’s printing press in 1452),
and ending just before the 17th.

The Medieval period is considerably longer,
lasting from the 5th century to the 15th.
This time is also called “The Middle Ages”.

Now,
remembering dates is a pain in the ass,
so allow me to give a visual representation:

 

Medieval:

Two-Dimensional. Predominantly religious subject matter. Loose clothes.

 

Renaissance:

Three-Dimensional. Secular subject. Fitted bodice.

 

Or look at it another way:
Is your art predominantly two-dimensional, simplistic,
and usually focused on religious subjects?

Monks doing monkish things.

 

Congrats!

You’re in the Middle Ages!

Are your clothes fairly shapeless, with perhaps an outer tunic for style?

 

Kinda jealous--these look waaay more comfortable than jeans.

Also Middle Ages!

Who’s ruling your country?
If the answer is, “Why, Queen Elizabeth I!”
Guess what?
You’re in the Renaissance!

 

Ah, Elizabeth I, CEO...

(she shaved her hairline to get that whole billiard-ball-forehead thing. crazy, nu?)

 

Are you wearing a device that pushes your boobs up around your eyeballs?

 

Yes. I used myself as an example. Annnnd?
(I look sad because I don't have beer. shutup.)

 

Perhaps it’s not *totally* accurate (historical costumers fight…GO!),
but still Renaissance!

(Very well…See below for a period sketch of a noble/upperclass woman in a
similarly boobifying contraption)

Notice the conical shape? That's pure Elizabethean, right there.

 

Are you a Crusader?

Medieval!

 

Is Shakespeare alive?

Renaissance!

 

Are you quoting Lewis Carroll and wandering about in brass goggles?

….

Um.

Can’t help you there, mate.

But you look cool.

 

Seriously, right? The top hat kinda makes me swoon.

photo credit

 

(ladies in “princess” hats sprouting bits of tulle? just…no.)

Hair. And Stuff.

I’m playing Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Southern Faire this year.

Alas,
my short hair was deemed not okay
(in spite of the character that I am to play, and the wreath that I’ll be wearing)
by the Costume Oracle,
so I had to improvise.

I bought a Hank O’ Hair from Cinema Secrets
(which is one of my favorite places to find weird/halloween/stage makeup),
and I began braiding today.

Acrylic hair is far less expensive than human hair,
but lemmetellyawhat,
that shit gets TANGLED.

the tangle

the tanglestache

My evil plan is to weave braids across the top of my wreath,
so I can fake the long-hair-having-ness.

(no wigs because
a) scratchy
b) faire gets up into the 100 degrees come May
c) i’m already wearing freakishly hot Elizabethan garb)

So far,
the process goes something like this:

1) Separate hair

2) Rubberband one end, place between toes to hold whilst braiding

please ignore my purple feet. it's cold in here!

3) Attach rubberband to prongs of headband, loop braid creatively

this part can be tricky

4) Twist horns into wreath as best you can. Curse creatively when said horns go flying across the room under the power of their magic elasticity.

5) Place on head. Thou speakest aright! I am that…merry…wanderer of the night!