The tragedy of the one guy who was right about the Trojan Horse - Noah Charney

Summary

The script narrates the ancient tale of Laocoön, a Trojan priest whose warning against the Greeks' wooden horse was ignored, leading to a tragic end for him and his sons. The story inspired the renowned 'Laocoön and His Sons' sculpture, a masterpiece of Hellenistic Baroque style, which profoundly influenced Michelangelo and the Mannerism movement, shaping the dramatic portrayal of the human form in Renaissance art.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Greeks laid a ten-year siege on Troy, culminating in the famous 'Trojan Horse' ruse.
• 🐎 The Trojans initially celebrated the Greek 'surrender', bringing the wooden horse into their city.
• 🔮 Laocoön, a Trojan priest, warned against accepting the horse, suspecting a Greek trick.
• 🗡 Laocoön attempted to expose the horse by thrusting his sword into it, but found nothing.
• 🌊 The gods, favoring the Greeks, sent serpents to punish Laocoön for his actions, leading to his and his sons' death.
• 🎭 Laocoön's story was retold in various forms, including Virgil's 'The Aeneid' and Sophocles' play.
• 🗿 The 'Laocoön and His Sons' marble statue is the most famous depiction of the priest's tale, embodying the Hellenistic Baroque style.
• 🕰 The statue's creation date is debated, with theories ranging from 200 BCE to 68 CE.
• 🎨 The sculpture's intense and dramatic depiction of the human form influenced Michelangelo and the development of Mannerism.
• 🔥 The original statue was lost after the fire that destroyed Domus Aurea in 109 CE.
• 🌟 The rediscovery of 'Laocoön and His Sons' in 1506 had a profound impact on Michelangelo, inspiring a new artistic approach.

Q & A

What was the significance of the enormous wooden horse left by the Greeks during the siege of Troy?

The enormous wooden horse was a deceptive gift from the Greeks, which the Trojans initially saw as a symbol of surrender. However, it was actually part of a scheme to infiltrate the city, leading to the fall of Troy.

Who was Laocoön and why was he suspicious of the wooden horse?

Laocoon was a seer and priest among the Trojans. He was suspicious of the wooden horse because of the Greeks' reputation for trickery and warned his fellow Trojans not to accept the offering.

What did Laocoön do to express his suspicion of the wooden horse?

Laocoon thrust his sword into the belly of the wooden horse to check for hidden men, but found nothing, and the crowd did not heed his warning.

What was the role of the gods in the story of Laocoön and the fall of Troy?

The gods had decided to grant the Greeks victory and ensured the success of their scheme to infiltrate Troy. Poseidon, in particular, sought to punish Laocoön for threatening the plan by sending serpents to kill him and his sons.

How did the tragic death of Laocoön and his sons occur?

Two great serpents emerged from the sea and descended on Laocoön and his sons, resulting in their violent deaths, which went unnoticed amid the celebrations of the Trojans.

Which ancient works mention the story of Laocoön?

The story of Laocoön is mentioned in Virgil's epic poem 'The Aeneid' and Sophocles composed a play about the priest. The most famous depiction is a marble statue called 'Laocoon and His Sons'.

What is the Hellenistic Baroque style, and how is the sculpture 'Laocoon and His Sons' an epitome of this style?

The Hellenistic Baroque style is known for its dramatic facial expressions and contorted figures. The sculpture 'Laocoon and His Sons' is the epitome of this style due to its intense portrayal of the figures writhing in agony and the desperation and hopelessness depicted on their faces.

What was the significance of the sculpture 'Laocoon and His Sons' in the art world, especially during the Renaissance?

The sculpture 'Laocoon and His Sons' was significant as it greatly influenced Michelangelo and sparked the artistic movement called Mannerism, which emphasized the exaggeration and twisting of human bodies for dramatic effect.

How did the discovery of the 'Laocoon and His Sons' statue in 1506 impact Michelangelo?

The discovery of the statue had a profound impact on Michelangelo, influencing his approach to representing the human body with contorted poses and muscular, hyperextended figures, as seen in his work in the Sistine Chapel.

What is Mannerism, and how did the statue 'Laocoon and His Sons' contribute to its development?

Mannerism is an artistic movement characterized by the exaggeration and twisting of human bodies for dramatic effect. The statue 'Laocoon and His Sons' contributed to its development by inspiring Michelangelo's new style, which then influenced other artists throughout the 1500s.

Why was the statue 'Laocoon and His Sons' lost, and how was it rediscovered?

The statue was lost when the Domus Aurea was consumed by fire in 109 CE. It was rediscovered in 1506 when Pope Julius II unearthed it, and Michelangelo was among those who were astonished by its dramatic musculature and curving shapes.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Trojan Horse and Laocoön's Warning

This paragraph recounts the story of the Trojan War and the Greeks' ruse of the Trojan Horse. After a decade-long siege, the Greeks seemingly vanished, leaving behind a large wooden horse. The Trojans, interpreting it as a sign of surrender, brought the horse into the city and began to celebrate. However, Laocoön, a priest and seer, was wary of the Greeks' deceit and warned his people against accepting the horse. Despite his caution, he was ignored. Laocoön's attempt to expose the horse by stabbing it led to no discovery of hidden soldiers. His tragic end, along with his sons, was orchestrated by the gods who had sided with the Greeks. This tale of betrayal and warning is a central theme of the paragraph.

05:02

🗿 The Legacy of 'Laocoon and His Sons'

The second paragraph delves into the artistic and cultural impact of the sculpture 'Laocoon and His Sons,' which depicts the priest and his sons being attacked by serpents. The sculpture is a prime example of the Hellenistic Baroque style, noted for its dramatic expressions and contorted figures. Its discovery and subsequent influence on Michelangelo, who was captivated by its emotive and exaggerated elements, is highlighted. Michelangelo's adoption of these characteristics in his work, particularly in the Sistine Chapel, led to the development of the Mannerism artistic movement. The paragraph also touches on the sculpture's initial prominence in Emperor Nero's Domus Aurea and its rediscovery in 1506, which further solidified its status as an influential piece of art.

Keywords

💡Troy

Troy is an ancient city located in modern-day Turkey, known for the legendary Trojan War, which is the central theme of the video. The script describes the Greeks' ten-year siege of Troy, culminating in the famous 'Trojan Horse' incident, which is a pivotal moment in the story.

💡Trojan Horse

The Trojan Horse is a massive wooden horse left by the Greeks outside the city of Troy, which the Trojans brought into their city, unaware of the Greek soldiers hidden within. It symbolizes the deception and trickery that led to the fall of Troy and is a key element in the video's narrative.

💡Laocoon

Laocoon is a seer and priest in the city of Troy who warned his fellow citizens about the Trojan Horse, suspecting it to be a trick. His character and tragic fate are central to the video's exploration of the story and its impact on art and literature.

💡Hellenistic Baroque

Hellenistic Baroque refers to an artistic style characterized by dramatic expressions and contorted figures, which is exemplified by the sculpture 'Laocoon and His Sons.' The video discusses how this style is epitomized in the sculpture, showcasing the intensity and emotion of the scene depicted.

💡Sculpture

The term 'sculpture' is used in the video to describe the art form that created the iconic 'Laocoon and His Sons.' The sculpture is a nearly life-sized representation of the tragic story of Laocoon and is a significant focus of the video's discussion on art history.

💡Michelangelo

Michelangelo Buonarotti is a renowned Renaissance artist whose work was influenced by the discovery of the 'Laocoon and His Sons' sculpture. The video explains how Michelangelo's approach to representing the human body was transformed by the emotive and exaggerated elements of the sculpture.

💡Mannerism

Mannerism is an artistic movement of the 1500s that emerged partly due to the influence of the 'Laocoon and His Sons' sculpture. The video describes how this movement is characterized by the exaggeration and twisting of human bodies for dramatic effect, inspired by the sculpture's style.

💡Dramatic

The term 'dramatic' is used throughout the video to describe the intensity and emotional depth of both the story of Laocoon and the artistic representations of it. It is a key adjective that helps to convey the powerful impact of the narrative and the sculpture.

💡Infiltrate

In the context of the video, 'infiltrate' refers to the Greeks' strategy of hiding soldiers inside the Trojan Horse to enter Troy undetected. This tactic is a critical part of the story and demonstrates the cunning and strategy of the Greeks.

💡Emperor Nero

Emperor Nero was a Roman ruler who had the 'Laocoon and His Sons' sculpture displayed in his Domus Aurea palace complex. The video mentions Nero to provide historical context for the sculpture's significance and its role as a centerpiece of art during that era.

💡Pliny the Elder

Pliny the Elder was a Roman writer who praised the 'Laocoon and His Sons' sculpture, calling it 'preferable to any other production of the art of painting or of statuary.' His quote is used in the video to highlight the sculpture's acclaim and influence in ancient times.

Highlights

The Greeks laid siege to Troy for ten years, leaving an enormous wooden horse behind.

Trojans initially saw the wooden horse as a symbol of Greek surrender and celebrated its arrival.

Laocoon, a Trojan priest, was suspicious of the Greek gift and warned against accepting it.

Despite Laocoon's warnings, the Trojans ignored him and brought the horse into the city.

Laocoon's attempt to expose the horse by thrusting his sword into it was unsuccessful.

Laocoon and his sons prepared a sacrifice to the gods in response to his foreboding.

The gods had decided to grant the Greeks victory, ensuring the success of their infiltration scheme.

Poseidon punished Laocoon by sending two serpents to kill him and his sons.

Laocoon's tragic death was overshadowed by the Trojan celebrations.

The Trojans remembered Laocoon's warning when tragedy struck that night.

Laocoon's tale inspired retellings in literature, including Virgil's 'The Aeneid' and Sophocles' play.

The marble statue 'Laocoon and His Sons' is the most famous depiction of Laocoon's story.

The statue was likely carved by a trio of artists from Rhodes, with origins ranging from 200 BCE to 68 CE.

The sculpture represents the Hellenistic Baroque style with its dramatic expressions and contorted figures.

The intensity of 'Laocoon and His Sons' is unmatched in the Hellenistic Baroque style.

The sculpture was displayed in Emperor Nero's Domus Aurea and was highly praised by Pliny the Elder.

The statue was lost after the Domus Aurea was destroyed by fire in 109 CE.

In 1506, Michelangelo was astonished by the rediscovered 'Laocoon and His Sons'.

The statue's influence on Michelangelo led to a new style of representing the human body in art.

Michelangelo's new style, featuring 'figura serpentinata,' sparked the Mannerism artistic movement.

The influence of 'Laocoon and His Sons' on Renaissance artists was profound, making it one of the most influential sculptures ever made.

Transcripts

For ten grueling years, the Greeks laid siege to Troy,

scattering ships and encampments across the city's shores.

But as the Trojans awoke for another day of battle,

they found their enemies had vanished overnight—

leaving behind only an enormous wooden horse.

Seeing this as a symbol of the Greek’s surrender,

the soldiers dragged their prize into the city and began to celebrate.

But one Trojan wasn't happy.

Laocoön, a seer and priest, was deeply suspicious of the Greek gift.

He reminded his fellow Trojans of their enemy’s reputation for trickery,

and cautioned them not to accept this strange offering.

The crowd jeered at his warning, but Laocoön was undeterred.

He forced his way to the wooden beast and thrust his sword into its belly.

Yet his blade drew no blood.

And if there were men shifting inside,

Laocoön couldn't hear them over the crowd.

Still grim with foreboding, Laocoön retreated home

and enlisted his sons in preparing a sacrifice to the gods.

But his fate— and that of his fellow Trojans— was already sealed.

The gods had decided to grant the Greeks victory

by ensuring the success of their scheme to infiltrate Troy.

And Poseidon sought to punish the priest for threatening that plan.

Two great serpents emerged from the sea’s rolling waves

and descended on Laocoön and his sons.

The seer’s violent death went unnoticed amidst the celebrations.

But, that night, when tragedy struck,

the Trojans finally remembered the old priest’s warning.

Laocoön's tragic tale inspired countless retellings across the ancient world.

Virgil describes the seer’s demise in his epic poem “The Aeneid,”

and Sophocles composed an entire play about the ill-fated priest.

However, his most famous and influential depiction

is a marble statue called “Laocoön and His Sons.”

Likely carved by a trio of artists from Rhodes,

the exact origins of this piece remain mysterious,

with current theories dating its creation anywhere from 200 BCE to 68 CE.

Whenever it was made,

this sculpture remains the epitome of the Hellenistic Baroque style.

But even within a tradition known for its dramatic facial expressions

and contorted figures,

no other piece in this style comes close to the intensity

of “Laocoön and His Sons.”

The nearly life-sized figures are writhing in agony,

straining to untangle massive snakes from their limbs.

Their faces are packed with desperation and hopelessness,

yet Laocoön’s expression is fiercely determined to resist.

The scene is also uniquely brutal—

paused precisely as the serpent’s venomous jaws are about to bite down.

Displayed as the centerpiece of Emperor Nero’s Domus Aurea palace complex,

this gruesome sculpture was one of the most talked about artworks of its time.

Renowned Roman writer Pliny the Elder even went so far as to call it

“preferable to any other production of the art of painting or of statuary.”

Unfortunately, the statue was lost

when Domus Aurea was consumed by fire in 109 CE.

But Laocoön's tale was far from finished.

In 1506, Michelangelo Buonarotti— then the most famous sculptor in Rome—

received a message that Pope Julius II had unearthed something marvelous.

Even caked with dirt, “Laocoön and His Sons” astonished Michelangelo.

The dramatic musculature was over-the-top,

but all the more powerful for being so extreme.

And the curving shapes of its serpent and human figures

drew his eyes in constant motion.

Pope Julius prominently displayed the piece at the Vatican,

but its influence on Michelangelo is what made the statue truly famous.

The sculpture's emotive, exaggerated elements transformed his approach

to representing the human body.

His paintings and sculptures began to feature contorted poses,

referred to as “figura serpentinata,” meaning snake-like shapes.

And his celebrated work in the Sistine Chapel

centered on muscular, hyperextended figures.

Soon, Michelangelo’s new style sparked an entire artistic movement

called Mannerism—

influencing artists throughout the 1500s to exaggerate and twist human bodies

for dramatic effect.

Since artists of the Renaissance revered ancient Greco-Roman art above all else,

perhaps it’s not surprising that “Laocoön and His Sons” made such a large impact.

But not even the real Laocoön could have predicted that his likeness

would become one of the most influential sculptures ever made.