The age of Renaissance (1300's-1600's) was the time line that the dramatized Michelangelo's artist lifestyle. The Renaissance was begun by the humanist, scholars who studied Greek and Roman literature during medieval times. Their belief was that Classical societies were far more advanced in science, philosophy, art, and literature. Therefore, they felt it was their duty was to gather this information in order to modernize Europe. The most influential Renaissance study was art, because the Holy Roman Empire found it to be appealing and realistic, thus easier for the Empire to relate to it's people.

Much of what appeared in Irving Stone's biographical novel of the life of Michelangelo (1475-1564) was of the author's invention, but few will dispute that the artist painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which is the subject of Carol Reed's film "THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY"(1965). It traces Michelangelo Buonarroti life from age 13 to his death at 89, but deals mainly with the five years (1507-1512) during which he painted the Sistine Chapel. Pope Julius II (1443-1513) had commissioned the work in the hope that it would s

At first I hoped your height would let me rise;

The film is fairly accurate in the manner of dress and life style, most of which can be recounted to the paintings of Renaissance artists such as Lorenzo (1449-1492), Michelangelo (1475-1564) and Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). One of the most accurate events occurred, when Michelangelo nearly went blind when lead based paint fell in his eyes while he was painting the Sistine Chapel. However the film poorly depicted his dissatisfaction towards people and his fear of celebrity hunters that made him live a hermits lifestyle. Therefore, it did not give his lifestyle as part of the reason of the conflict with the Pope.

I've pleased you less the more that I have labored.

The just balance and the powerful sword,

This sonnet compares Michelangelo's relationship to Julius II, as Julius II's relationship is to God and country. In the last metaphor "Give us a dry tree to pluck our fruit" is symbolism of the lack of payment the artist received and related to the Holy unrest of the Pope's warring plight in Europe. Their relationship was of a love/hate nature, due to the Pope's preoccupation of unifying Europe and maintaining control of the Holy Roman Empire.

I am your faithful servant, as of old;

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 956
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)