Yesterday I submitted my research paper. It feels great to have that part of my MA over and done with. It was a real challenge to write, but I actually enjoyed the process once I gave it my full time and attention, and I am pleased with the result. Rather than waffle on about it, I will leave the title/proposition and abstract (brief summary of the paper) below, as well as a link to the whole paper, for anyone who cares to read it.
Contemplating Martyrs: The Art of Religion-Assisted Dying – an examination of death-acceptance and eudaimonia in extremis through the contemplation of Christian martyrs as depicted in the Ars Moriendi and the work of Bill Viola.
This paper examines the idea that contemplation of Christian martyrs can help alleviate the existential suffering of the conscious dying process, through an analysis of the 5th and 6th wood-cut illustrations of the Ars Moriendi, a 15th century manual on the art of dying, and Bill Viola’s 2014 polyptych video installation Martyrs (Earth, Air, Fire, Water). By analysing these artworks, produced 600 years apart, this paper will show both the consistency and potency of the idea that contemplating Christian martyrs can give consolation to those suffering in extremis, as well as highlight the universal constituents of the conscious dying process, particularly as it relates to existential suffering that remains relevant today.
To achieve the above-mentioned aims, this paper will begin by laying the foundation for the exploration of death-acceptance and eudaimonia in extremis (lit. happiness at the point of death) by introducing the idea of death-denial and its prima facie importance to such an exploration. It will then analyse death-acceptance as an outcome of a death-adjustment pattern, by exploring the work of Dr Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in relationship to the Ars Moriendi. Followed by an exploration of eudaimonia in extremis and its relationship to the Christian tradition of contemplating martyrs. After which, a detailed analysis of the Ars Moriendi will be undertaken, its historical and religious context, the text, an analysis of the short, illustrated version, paying particular attention to the 5th and 6th illustrations, in reference to the focus of this paper, i.e., death-acceptance and eudaimonia in extremis through the contemplation of Christian martyrs. The paper will then analyse Bill Viola’s Martyrs, in reference to the same above, ending with lessons that can be gleaned from such contemplation.
Key words: Martyrs, contemplation; death-acceptance, eudaimonia, in extremis
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