3.

HOW TO STUDY THE HUMANITIES: TEXT, CONTEXT, AND SUBTEXT

to engage in a dialogue with the past, one that brings us face to face with the values of our
ancestors, and, ultimately, with our own. There are no shortcuts to study of the humanistic disciplines,
but there are some techniques that may be helpful. It is useful, for instance, to approach each primary
source from the triple perspective of its text, its context, and its subtext.

TEXT
The text of any primary source refers its medium (that is, what it is made of), its form (its
outward shape), and its content (the subject it describes).
Literature depends on the medium of words. The literary form varies according to the manner in
which words are arranged. So, poetry which shares with music and dance rhythmic organization, may be
distinguished from prose, which normally lacks regular rhythmic pattern. The main purpose of prose is
to convey information, to narrate, and to described; poetry it provides opportunities for the expression
of intense emotions.
The formal Elements of Arts
1. Color
2. Line
3. Texture
4. Space
The artist manipulates form to described and interpret the visible world; to generate fantastic
and imaginative kinds of imagery; or to create imagery that is non-representational-without identifiable
subject matter. Arts are spatial, they operate and apprehended in space. The formal elements of music
are: Melody, Rhythm, Harmony, and Tone color. Dance, the art form that makes the human body itself a
medium of expression.

CONTEXT

(Paleolithic caves)

Described the historical and cultural background or environment of the artwork.

1. In what time and place did the artefact originate?
2. How did it function within the society in which it was created?
3. Was the purpose of the piece decorative, didactic, magical, propagandistic?
4. Did it serve the religious or political needs of the community or both?
Understanding the relationship between text and context is one of the principal concerns of any
inquiry into the humanistic disciplines.

SUBTEXT
Refers to its secondary and implied meanings. The subtext embraces the emotional or
intellectual messages embedded in, or implied by, a work of art.

4. BEYOND THE HUMANISTIC DISCIPLINES

Below are some guidelines for extra credit reviews of cultural events:
CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT
THEATER
AN ART GALLERY OR MUSEUM
DANCE
LECTURE
QUESTIONS:
1-4. What is the 4 formal elements of Arts?

5. What is the purpose of poetry?

6-8. The 3 purpose of prose?

9. What is text?

10. What is subtext?

11. What is context?

12-15. Four formal elements of Music?

Ans:

1-4. color, line, texture, space

5. provides unique opportunities for the expression of intense emotions

6-8. to convey emotion, to narrate, to describe

9. Text refers to its medium

10. Context describe the historical, cultural background or environment of the artwork

11. Subtext refers to its secondary and implied meanings

12-15. melody, rhythm, harmony, tone color