The Mission, a film set in 1507, reflects on a Jesuit mission settlement, torn apart by Spanish and Portuguese government. With the papacy caught in the midst of this turmoil, conflicting ideas of injustice and moral sense drive the message of the film. In relation to the Enlightenment, an epoch of modernized philosophical ideas from the 1400s through the 1600s, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s ideas of individuality, human nature and corruption are best represented through themes of government, religion, and war in the film.
An acclaimed philosopher in France, Rousseau fixated heavily on human nature and what influenced human beings to change. From innocence to malfeasance, Rousseau believed people metamorphosed into corrupt beings because of society; …show more content…
He speculated humans lived too naively, gullible towards what Church and state considered integral and mandatory. In another one of his more famous works, he says, “...in the midst of so much philosophy, humanity, and civilization, and of such sublime codes of morality, we have nothing to show for ourselves but a frivolous and deceitful appearance, humor without virtue, reason without wisdom, and pleasure without happiness.(3)” In his opinions, the government expected people to present themselves accordingly, with little room for boldness and individuality. Those in positions of power had devious principals; infected by grandiosity, they selfishly wished to benefit themselves. Because the government remained power hungry and constantly craved land and power, they controlled nations unreasonably. In the film, as the Cardinal inspects the missions, he takes into account their charm and falls in love with the complex yet peaceful structures. Regardless, he feels torn between giving the land to the Spanish or Portuguese instead of even considering the converted Indians and what their future situation might look like. Personal interest of the Church was indisputable as the Cardinal pulverized peaceful living, all for the expansion of territory and a boost of money. Analyzing the Church and state’s relationship, Rousseau urged people to speak out, encouraging them to …show more content…
Essentially, this meant that the government would work for the people, taking into account their requests and sentiments. As a philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed in individuality and individual freedom. He understood that humans were all different and each believed in separate ideas, needing varied things. He trusted that if people committed to honest and righteous morals, forms of government could function properly (4). In his writings he said, “Laws are, properly speaking, only the conditions of civil association. (5)” By this, he meant that laws were crucial and fundamental, but they should be chosen unanimously, by the people as a whole. In the 14th and 15th centuries, while Church and state power remained concentrated in small areas, Rousseau strongly supported the majority rule. The Mission underscores much of what Rousseau felt was wrong in society, including the imbalance of power between common people and authority. In the midst of a Church assembly, Don Cabeza voices a biased and discriminatory comment towards Indians in the mission. This infuriates Rodrigo and he chooses to argue Don Cabeza’s false claims. Because government at the time had little tolerance for more singular opinions, Rodrigo was forced to apologize. Prior to the concept of a social contract, people had to act in total accordance with
An acclaimed philosopher in France, Rousseau fixated heavily on human nature and what influenced human beings to change. From innocence to malfeasance, Rousseau believed people metamorphosed into corrupt beings because of society; …show more content…
He speculated humans lived too naively, gullible towards what Church and state considered integral and mandatory. In another one of his more famous works, he says, “...in the midst of so much philosophy, humanity, and civilization, and of such sublime codes of morality, we have nothing to show for ourselves but a frivolous and deceitful appearance, humor without virtue, reason without wisdom, and pleasure without happiness.(3)” In his opinions, the government expected people to present themselves accordingly, with little room for boldness and individuality. Those in positions of power had devious principals; infected by grandiosity, they selfishly wished to benefit themselves. Because the government remained power hungry and constantly craved land and power, they controlled nations unreasonably. In the film, as the Cardinal inspects the missions, he takes into account their charm and falls in love with the complex yet peaceful structures. Regardless, he feels torn between giving the land to the Spanish or Portuguese instead of even considering the converted Indians and what their future situation might look like. Personal interest of the Church was indisputable as the Cardinal pulverized peaceful living, all for the expansion of territory and a boost of money. Analyzing the Church and state’s relationship, Rousseau urged people to speak out, encouraging them to …show more content…
Essentially, this meant that the government would work for the people, taking into account their requests and sentiments. As a philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed in individuality and individual freedom. He understood that humans were all different and each believed in separate ideas, needing varied things. He trusted that if people committed to honest and righteous morals, forms of government could function properly (4). In his writings he said, “Laws are, properly speaking, only the conditions of civil association. (5)” By this, he meant that laws were crucial and fundamental, but they should be chosen unanimously, by the people as a whole. In the 14th and 15th centuries, while Church and state power remained concentrated in small areas, Rousseau strongly supported the majority rule. The Mission underscores much of what Rousseau felt was wrong in society, including the imbalance of power between common people and authority. In the midst of a Church assembly, Don Cabeza voices a biased and discriminatory comment towards Indians in the mission. This infuriates Rodrigo and he chooses to argue Don Cabeza’s false claims. Because government at the time had little tolerance for more singular opinions, Rodrigo was forced to apologize. Prior to the concept of a social contract, people had to act in total accordance with