Zina February 11, 2010 Europe in the 17th Century <insert witty title here> At first glance, one

would not think that John Comenius book The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart would pain a very accurate portrait of the period of time between 1618 and 1623. It is still considered a marvelous work of allegorical fiction even now during the twenty-first century. However, it is fiction, and fiction normally is not thought to make good sources. Nevertheless, The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart is different from most fiction in that it correctly portrays the social, political, and economic issues in Europe within the fantastical and often terrifying settings that the narrator, a nameless pilgrim, travels through. Comenius was not afraid to touch any subject or problem that was plaguing Europe in the 17th century. He criticized European society and all of its ills by using his characters and the unnamed world of his work. I believe that Comenius book is the best source out of the eleven that we were given because he covers all of the most important parts about life for people who lived in Europe during the second quarter of the 17th century. The first reason for why I feel as though The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart is a superlative source has quite a bit to do with the beginning of the journey. The introduction of the pilgrim, a man trying to find the right course of life to take, pales in comparison to the introduction of the guide Ubiquitous. Ubiquitous, a man of brisk gait, spry appearance, and quick speech,1 appears to the pilgrim as a guardian angel of sorts. He, a smooth talking stranger that doesnt seem to approve of the pilgrims decision to wander through the

John Comenius, The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart (Mahwah: Paulist Press,1996), 63

world without a guide and immediately offers up his services to the pilgrim. What caught my attention was the way that Ubiquitous compared the world around them to the Cretan labyrinth. The world of Comenius book is suggested as being more dangerous and more treacherous than a place that, if you had no guide, you would never find a way out.2 It is an apt comparison, considering the way that politics were playing out back in that tumultuous time period. Royals and the nobility were being assassinated left and right and the Hapsburgs were slowly taking over every country that they could. Europe in the 17th century was a dangerous place, truly more dangerous than any ancient labyrinth could be. All ancient labyrinths had were minotaurs. The 17th century had something much worse: Machiavellian plots. The second reason for my choice of The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart as a good source involves the perceptions of the world. The world in Comenius book is a front for all kinds of immorality and insane behavior. Europe in the 17th century? Much of the same. Yet most people seemed blind to it. Early on in the book, in chapter three, the pilgrim makes a remark that struck me. I will go and see what this world is like that Lady Vanity wants one to examine on her own terms but not with ones own eyes,3 the pilgrim says as he starts off on his journey with his two companions. Many people that fought for change in Europe during that time, shared that same sentiment about their government and their religious rulers. However, few people besides Comenius had the courage to express themselves and share their opinion about the veneer that was painted over the horrors of life. Because I wish to teach someday, the parts of history that I wind up focusing on are the parts that are entertaining. While there were other statuses that were almost as helpful in defining

John Comenius, The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart (Mahwah: Paulist Press,1996), 63

John Comenius, The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart (Mahwah: Paulist Press,1996), 67

the social, political, and economic climate of Europe during that period, the source that came the closest to Comenius book would have to be The Defenestration of Prague (May 23, 1618). This is an account of what started it all and its got everything from the aforementioned defenestration to divine intervention. Its kind of fantastical, especially when the source mentions that one of the mens lives was saved because of the intercession of our dear and most distinguished Lady.4 That sort of thing shows the kind of mindset that people had back then, that blind devotion that religion will save them from all harm. In conclusion, I believe that The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart paints a vivid portrait of the events between 1618 and 1623 because of the way that Comenius portrayed the people in his world as monsters behind a mask. He mirrored Europes most trying times in his book and to this day, it remains a best seller and an amazing look into one mans view of Europe.

Tryntje Helfferich ed., The Thirty Years War: A Documentary History (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.) 14-19