O NOME DA ROSA | EXPLICANDO A IDADE MÉDIA | CINEMA + HISTÓRIA

Summary

In this episode of Cine História, the host delves into the 1986 film *The Name of the Rose*, based on Umberto Eco's novel. The story, set in 1327 at a monastery in northern Italy, explores philosophical, historical, and religious themes, as a monk (played by Sean Connery) investigates a series of mysterious murders. The film contrasts medieval mystical thinking with the emerging humanism of the Renaissance, featuring a key focus on a forbidden library. The host also touches on the film's critical perspective on church dogma, censorship, and the decay of medieval thought, while teasing upcoming episodes on Brazilian historical cinema.

Takeaways

• 😀 The film *The Name of the Rose* is set in a 14th-century Italian monastery and deals with a murder mystery involving seven monks killed over seven nights.
• 😀 The movie portrays the conflict between medieval mysticism and the emerging Renaissance ideals, represented by Sean Connery’s character, William of Baskerville.
• 😀 William of Baskerville is portrayed as a rational investigator, a 'CSI of the medieval world,' contrasting with the church's supernatural beliefs.
• 😀 The film's deeper themes explore the transition from feudalism to early capitalism, particularly through philosophical and religious discussions.
• 😀 The monastery's library plays a central role in the film, symbolizing the clash between forbidden knowledge and the church’s control over intellectual thought.
• 😀 The film critiques medieval society’s decay, symbolized by the physical decline of the religious figures in the story.
• 😀 *The Name of the Rose* highlights the power of books and knowledge, with a key plot element involving poisoned books and forbidden texts.
• 😀 The film critiques the Catholic Church’s suppression of rational, humanistic thought during the Middle Ages, represented by Aristotle’s works.
• 😀 The host emphasizes that the film can be appreciated with a historical and philosophical perspective, considering its commentary on medieval and Renaissance ideals.
• 😀 Upcoming episodes will focus on Brazilian history, with themes related to the Cangaço (Lampião) and the War of Canudos, engaging the audience with local historical narratives.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the film *The Name of the Rose*?

The main theme of *The Name of the Rose* is the clash between medieval mysticism and Renaissance humanism, as represented by the conflict between reason and faith. The film explores how these ideologies manifest in the investigation of a series of murders at a medieval monastery.

How does the character of William of Baskerville represent Renaissance humanism?

William of Baskerville, played by Sean Connery, represents Renaissance humanism through his reliance on reason, logic, and critical thinking to solve the mystery of the murders. He challenges the medieval belief in the supernatural and advocates for the use of empirical investigation.

What role does the library play in the film?

The library in *The Name of the Rose* is a symbolic character in itself. It holds forbidden texts, including works by Aristotle, that challenge the Church’s doctrines. The library represents the control of knowledge and the dangers posed by books that question established religious beliefs.

Why are the books in the library considered dangerous?

The books in the library are considered dangerous because they contain knowledge, particularly the rational philosophy of Aristotle, which goes against the religious teachings of the Church at the time. The Church feared that these texts would lead people to question divine authority, so they were censored or destroyed.

What is the significance of the character of the Grand Inquisitor?

The Grand Inquisitor, played by Uffie Moreau, represents the Church’s conservative stance against new ideas. He is the antagonist in the film, embodying the church’s rigid control over knowledge and its resistance to the emerging humanist and rationalist ideals of the Renaissance.

How does the setting of the film (a monastery in 1327) contribute to its themes?

The setting of a medieval monastery in 1327 serves as the perfect backdrop for the film’s exploration of the transition from feudalism to early capitalist thought. The monastery is a symbol of the old religious order, while the events of the film suggest the emergence of new philosophical and intellectual currents that will define the future.

What is the relationship between the decline of feudalism and the events in the film?

The decline of feudalism is mirrored in the film’s events through the clash of ideologies: the old feudal, religious mindset versus the rational, humanist thought emerging in the Renaissance. The film illustrates how these conflicting philosophies are being challenged within the religious institutions of the time, particularly the monastery.

Why are there so few female characters in the film, and what does this signify?

There is only one prominent female character in the film, a woman who sells her body to the monks. This lack of female presence reflects the patriarchal and oppressive nature of medieval society, where women had limited roles and were often marginalized, especially within the religious institutions.

How does *The Name of the Rose* depict the physical decline of the medieval church?

The film uses the physical decay of the monks—such as their worn and decayed bodies—as a metaphor for the decline of medieval thought and the church’s authority. The deteriorating physical state of the monks parallels the crumbling ideologies of the time as the Renaissance begins to take hold.

What philosophical debate is central to the conflict in *The Name of the Rose*?

The central philosophical debate in *The Name of the Rose* is the conflict between supernatural belief and reason. While the medieval monks believe that the murders are caused by supernatural forces or demonic influence, William of Baskerville approaches the case with rationality, seeking logical explanations based on evidence.