Dbq Essay On The Dark Ages

Please don't leave me in The Dark! Have you ever heard anyone say that? I have, usually, it refers to a lack of information given to the person. In general, when you hear phrases such as "The Dark Web" or "The Dark Ages" these connotations are really referring to a lack of knowledge pertaining to the subject. For instance, this modern day quote “The dark of the web is illuminated from within.”― Anthony T.Hincks can also relate to the Dark Ages given that information historians have gleaned about this previously hidden era have surfaced in recent times. In fact, we now realize how illuminated and innovative the people of this period actually were. With this in mind, I believe it is a good lesson for everyone to look beyond a characterization

that is passed down from history and do your own research to perhaps form a new opinion. A definition from The American Cyclopaedia labels the period of the early middle ages in Europe intellectually depressed. To be sure this terminology, unfortunately, brings to mind a place where people were unthinking and dull, that lawlessness and corruption ruled and the times were dark and sinister. Although this may be true in a sense due to the fact much of this period became known for various wars and religious strife. For instance, the power-mad monarch, King John caused the citizens to revolt thus owing to the document we know as the Magna Carta said to be inspired by God. Similarly, Joan of Arc became another famous person from this time period also inspired by God and her story of heroism lives with us today. On the positive side, to shed new light upon the Dark Ages brings us all out of the dark.

As shown above, and no pun intended many people of this time period looked for their strength from above. In detail here is an excerpt straight from the Magna Carta …Know that we, at the prompting of God and for the health of our soul and the souls of our ancestors and successors, This document states that God encouraged the writing of this famous charter which also is known to have influenced our very own Constitution. The portion of Document D pertaining to the Magna Carter also related how in 1100 the people understood that the absolute power King John wielded over them would not be tolerated. For example, he demanded massive amounts of currency, without seeking advice from nobles and determined court cases according to his personal impulses. Given these points, the people took advantage of when he was weakened by the loss of a battle with France and forced him to sign the Magna Carta. Obviously, the rights they fought for from this period are some of the very same rights; or as I will refer to them as rays of light coming from this so-called dark period, that we also have today and we can thank them for.

In due time, another ray of light emerges in the 1400's to become one of France's most celebrated heroines according to Document C, that person was Joan of Arc.

Are you beginning to see the pattern of sunshine emerging from the Dark ages? In the middle ages Joan of Arc is depicted in just one of the numerous paintings done of her as a flat two dimensional figure; a classic medieval trait along with Greek and Roman influences adorned not in a dress, but battle armor, she is the main focus seen in the background tiny figures that represent God and angels tell the story of how God also inspired this young girl to lead a French army to attack the city of Orleans. Ultimately, vanquishing the English which in turn united and saved France. As can be seen, religion became intertwined with political events and this theme was prevalent yet again. Climatically, one the most compelling events of her life was grievously how she died when a biased court sentenced her to death. This act only elevated her to martyrdom and has caused more people to look into the dark to find her

light.

Altogether I have offered a document; The Magna Carter and a person, Joan of Arc that both originated in the wrongly named Dark Ages.

Obviously, these are only two major elements of the time period so I encourage each and every one to continue to research this exciting era. In a dictionary Entry for “The Dark Ages” taken from Document A, I found that due to the lack of information about the middle ages that over time unfavorable, colorless and misleading views formed from actual historians whose job it is to unearth the truth. For instance, here is a small excerpt from the text of The: "Instead of focusing on the lack of information, historians assumed people and life at that time were “dark.” and as I mentioned in the introduction "Intellectually depressed." In due time numerous documents revealed so much more yet it takes time to erase bias and previously held

preconceptions.

To summarize, the various sources I utilized such as the Magna Carta and a painting of Joan of Arc both primary documents due to the fact they were actually constructed during the time period of what was considered the Dark Ages. Additionally, I quoted the American Cyclopedia a secondary source which basically stated how the term over time garnered the negative association. Admittedly, they realize when the dates they use to name the dark ages the: fifth century (400 CE) to the revival of learning at about the beginning of the fifteenth (1400 CE) what sticks out is the mention of "The revival of learning" as if no one had learned anything prior. In essence, the passage noted that now with more revealing documents they have now come to the conclusion that this time period was much more enlightened than previously thought yet it is still referred to in many institutions as the Dark Ages. All in all most of the time it is a dark place that we uncover hidden treasures.