Nonverbal Communication Through the Ages

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social interplay. It defined courtship, friendship, business, and a shared common activity for most. A royal ball presented an opportunity to climb the social ladder in the late 17th century. When it came to dancing, the man always asked the woman or her chaperone, not vice versa. He kept his right arm around the woman’s waist, keeping an appropriate distance. The woman held one or both sides of her skirt up gracefully, always turning out the inside of her wrists, like a ballet

dancer. At the end of the dance, the man offered his arm and escorted his partner back to a seat. But not all cultures dance around nonverbal communicative difference. Some embrace it, some encourage it, and actively blend them.

A radically different kind of cultured society began to develop in the early third century. Gothic tribes of barbarians, a new society and culture, began to rise on the horizon. The Goths are most well-known for their sacking of Rome in 410 (a feat that had not been accomplished in eight hundred years), but what most do not know about the Goths is that they were a rich and mysterious cultural mixing pot and great artistic creativity. Originally a very pagan culture, many Goths converted to Arian Christianity and Catholicism. They were a dark, loving people. These were a people that loved culture. And it showed! As barbarians, they plundered, raided, and invaded many countries, but as they would leave, not only would they take with them practical things such as spices, gold, foodstuffs, and other raw materials, they would frequently take with them books, pictures, coinage, and religious symbols and materials. (More curious and inventive than a typical perspective of a barbarous sort, literally wreaking havoc to all things within their wake.) The raiding Germanic tribes of Europe took on many regions they visited in new ways that such regions had never seen. Numerous Germanics influenced the cultures they visited. Among the most notable are Historia, Marcianople, Asia Minor, Greece, Gaelic regions, and what now modern day is Norway and Ukraine. Even their language was based heavily in Greek. This is not to say that the Goths were not violent. Although lands were frequently left decimated, the Goths took on many cultures as they traveled. (A nomadic people by their nature) People were brought into their tribes on little more than whim. Another lesser known fact about them is that when they arrived in Rome, not only did they spare the churches, but allowed anyone safe passage to them as sanctuary for any who did not wish to fight. This is nearly unheard of in these times. Great fury, yet great mercy. They did not wish to fight. The Goths, like the more modern English, were people who celebrated rank with adornment. The elite of this new culture decorated their leaders, wealthy, aristocrats, nobles, and others of status with fine imports of Roman origin. Later traded for peace and the friendship, these articles helped to cement a strong connection between the Goths and Romans. (later resulting in a fusion of culture deemed Hispani, the basis of Spanish culture.) Gothic generals and soldiers would even join their allies in battle to defend their kingdom for a time. The Goths are best represented when they banded together for themselves. The Visigoths were one such kingdom of united Gothic tribes. Although there was much interior fighting before it was accomplished, the Visigoths were finally united under a man named Wallia emerged as their leader. Soon after his death, Theoderic I succeeded him. This is when their culture truly began to develop aesthetically. Gone were the early days of the first gothic kingdoms in Gaul that later resulted in the Ostrogoth peoples of less notable unity. The name ’Visigoth’ meant ‘good’ ‘wise’ , or ‘ noble goth’ They became known independently as an influential kingdom among their less organized brothers. In a letter from a Ostrogothic queen, Amalsuntha, the queen describes her feelings and desires for her

kingdom: “After mourning the death of our son, of blessed memory, our concern for the people’ s common good had conquered a dutiful mother’s heart, so that it dwells not upon you prosperity. We have searched into the kind of help we might obtain to strengthen the kingdom’s administration...” She submits. Her tone is that of submission and grace. She seeks to shelter the empire from this loss of great ruler and man. Submissive tone alone probably appeased the people who were unsure about the prospect of a female ruler. She takes upon the leadership of a mother, an adoptive grandmother to be precise. This is interestingly similar the legendary Queen

Elizabeth of England. She continues, stating her plans for the future:

“ We have chosen by God’s grace the blessed Theodahad as the consort of our reign, so that we (...) shall be seen to be two persons in mutual working out the administration of the State., but one person in purpose...” (Further appeal to her subjects) Her overall eloquence portrays a strong determination and strength of character as well, a potent mix indeed. It is made clear that the future for the country

is prosperity. She leaves no ambiguity. No ambiguity that life would continue to be artful in Ostrogotha. This artfulness revolved around a desire to accentuate the smallest parts of every creation. Each piece of gothic construction shares the same characteristics. All are reminiscent of Roman religious symbolism and Roman architecture. Amalsuntha’s father, Theodoric, made sure of that. He had a deep respect for the Romans and really set the standard for Gothic culture. This was a culture of detailed, insightful work, and of colorful polychrome design. A long, arduous war between the Ostrogoths and the Visigoths proved just the conflict to bring the greatest Gothic empires down around their rulers ears, proving to the Goths to be one of the most beautifully self-destructive cultures to have ever existed. But true to its aesthetic of transcendence, they still are a fascinating influence on the modern world. Laid to rest in a grave of time, out of its death modern Europe was born.

Culture. Culture is a unique invention of humanity. Culture is beautiful, but no more beautiful to what happens when they run together. Manners, song, roles, and purpose, the aspects of culture run together, to create another genre of human experience. Human experience—perception. Perception—communication. How we communicate means everything. Especially the things that we don’ t

mean to say. Nonverbal, misunderstood, miscommunicated reality. We create conflicts without even knowing. How hard is it communicate. Horribly, it can become impossible, but only if we don’t work at it.

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