This image depicts the structural order of the universe from the perspective of Robert Fludd, a Renaissance alchemist and metaphysician. The circle is the primary geometric pattern of this design, and different elements in the circles are linked by the Great Chain of Being, which extends from a glowing, cloudy mass, seemingly representing God, to a human female form, supposedly the goddess Sophia. From Sophia, the chain extends down through the heavens to the earthly sphere, divided into realms of animal vegetable, mineral, and so on. An ape sits atop the image of the earth. Though some of the details are lost to the modern viewer not familiar with Renaissance alchemy and metaphysics, the image nonetheless presents an ordered and rational view of a divinely created universe.—MP
Fludd, Robert, 1574-1637
Utrisque Cosmi majoris scilicet et minoris metaphysica, physica atque technica historia in duo Volumina secundum cosmi defertian divisa... Openhemii, Aere Johan-Theodori de Bry, Typis Hieronymi Galleri, 1617-21. Folger call number: BD 500 F4 1617b Cage v.1
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Teacher Ideas
Matt Patterson / Bishop Seabury Academy / Lawrence, KS / English
Give students the image from Fludd's book and have them imagine that they are Prospero from The Tempest. Ask them to explain in writing how they (as Prospero) use the various elements in this chart to wield their magical powers.
Kristy Cabrera / Downtown College Prep / San Jose, CA / English
Ask students to draw a Chain of Being or power relationship chart for characters in any Shakespeare play.
Julia Perlowski / Pompano Beach High School / Pompano Beach, FL / English
Have students examine the image from Fludd's book. Discuss which elements of the image relate to modern-day points of view and which elements are exclusive to a Renaissance perspective. What whould you have to do to update this image for a modern audience?
