As values shifted from physical to mental, certain changes occured in the literature, art and philosophy of the ancient Greeks. The physicality of the Archaic period can be seen in the kouros statues that decorated the sites of athletic games. The Kouros of Melos is an archaic statue carved out of marble. This 6th century BC sculpture depicts a nude, young male athlete with left foot extended and arms held rigidly at its sides. A closer examination of the particular features of the statue will reveal how the arts, like other aspects of society, were shaped by a physical view of man in relation to the forces of the universe. The pose of the statue is static and conventional. Its bilateral symmetry and rigorous frontality give the statue a non-animate appearance. The forward-looking stare is fixed and blank. It has a formulaic smile, and there is no sense of consciousness about it. The statue depicts athletic training, and the nobility of physical fitness and military discipline (arete). It shows life as a physical contest. The statue was meant to preserve the memory of an athletic victory and to make propoganda for the athletic games. These aspects reflect the society in which class membership and rules of conduct are more important than what the individual may feel or think that the statue comes from.

A statue found in the ruins of the Acropolis provides us with one of the earliest examples of Greek art that depicts a thinking person. The Kritios Boy is a classical statue carved out of marble. This 5th century BC sculpture is thought to represent the legendary Greek hero Theseus; a figure whose initiative, courage and intelligence was reponsible for saving Athens. He is depicted as a graceful, young nude male. It has a thoughtful expression and a balanced stance. As a result, the figure communicates a sense of anticipation and choice. A more detailed analysis of the pose and expression will reinforce how this work is a dramatic departure from previous statues and how this change in emphasis reflects a differnt view of man held by those that lived during the Classical period. The life-like disposition of weight is the contrapposto style of pose. It shows that the artist has studied nature. With the weight all on one leg and the head turned to the right, the statue looks as if it is pondering its alternatives before taking a step, projecting a sense of initiative. The statue has a somber, introspective expression on its face that reflects a trend towards thoughtfulness, and signals a shift of values from physical to mental.

Quick Commentary: this wasn't graded, it was probably a practice excerpt from a midterm or something...i do remember it was early in the year...

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