What is the main difference between Gothic in the earlier centuries and now?

Question

Gothic Religion, Gothic Art and Architecture

Answer 1

I don't think the Goths in earlier centuries dressed in liquid latex.

Answer 2

gothic in the early ages was bad, people would probably kill you, so i would think they would probably of worn less black (i have a ex-gothic friend)

Answer 3

Do you mean, what's the difference between "Gothic" and "Goth" (culture)? Gothic culture usually refers to the architectural styles of the middle ages (like the cathedrals--high, pointed arches, "reaching to God"), the music (Gregorian chants) and general attitude of ignorance about the world and blind obedience to the Church.

Later on, in the mid-to-late 1800's, there was a revival of interest in Gothic culture, mostly promoted by the pre-Rafaelites artists, who thought that Medieval culture was more "pure" (color-wise, for example) than that of the Renaissance. Some Victorian architecture was called "Gothic", and used many of the same elements as cathedrals (pointy arches and gables).

Starting in the late 1700's and early 1800's, in literature, there was great interest in what was later termed "Gothic" themes: death, horror and moral decay, as science fought with the old, established beliefs. A good example of this is Mary Shelley's novel, "Frankenstein".

Even later, artists often referred to "Gothic Themes", such as Grant Wood's famous picture, "American Gothic", with the farm couple, standing in front of their Gothic house with a pitchfork, looking "dour".

As for "Goth", I don't think I have to explain THAT. Besides, it can mean many different things. The word nowadays, usually connotes something dark or disaffected from mainstream society, but too many people associate it with idiotic things like Satan worship or other destructive activities. I'd say most people who consider themselves "Goth" are misunderstood by the average person.

The site below, Religious Tolerance, is a GREAT site for those who are open-minded and want to learn about religion. They happen to have a section on modern "Goth" culture.

Here is an excerpt from that site:

"What is the Goth culture?

It is basically indefinable, because "Goth" means different things to each follower. Many adopt unusual fashions in order to separate themselves from other youth. Gordon A. Crews, associate dean of the School of Justice Studies at Roger Williams University in Bristol, CT is an investigator of what he calls the "occult" which-- in his opinion -- includes the Goth culture. He said: "It is up to the individual to define what Goth is for themselves ... The mentality is, 'I want to be left alone but I want to be seen. I want to see the shock on other peoples' faces." 11

Some factors that are commonly observed are:
bullet Its unique music, art and literature.
bullet The use of extreme black clothing, light colored makeup, unusual hair styles, body piercing, bondage items, etc.
bullet A fascination with medieval, Victorian and Edwardian history.
bullet Wearing of symbols such as a Christian cross; an Egyptian ankh or "Eye of Ra," or "Eye of Horus;" a Wiccan pentacle, a Satanic inverted pentacle. etc. 14
bullet Goths tend to be non-violent, pacifistic, passive, and tolerant. Many in the media have mistakenly associated Goth with extreme violence and hatred of minorities, white supremacy, etc.
bullet Many Goths write about being depressed. Followers seem sullen and withdrawn, when in public. They are often much more "happy and carefree in the company of [other] Goths." 1 Examples of depression are:
bullet "Tigriss," commenting on her own life, writes: "So my gothic persona fit me quite well. My black clothing and dark music aptly reflected my own depression, pain, and anger which was what I made most of my life about. Most of my goth friends had dysfunctional families and troubled childhoods as mine. We could identify with each other through our dark make-up and painful pasts." 12
bullet Researcher Jasin Tamlin comments: "If you take a look at the 640 sites that are listed on the Gothic Web Ring, you will find many of them filled with desperation, depression, anger, hatred, despair and angst." 13
bullet "A lot of people turn to the Gothic subculture after having a hard time in school, feeling alienated, and looking for a way to express themselves that mirrors those feelings. Others find the scene through literature, still others want to be shocking, and some people just find black clothing slimming." 1
bullet Goth music often deals with thought-provoking topics, concentrating on societal evils, like racism, war, hatred of groups, etc. Their music tends to concentrate on the very "nasty, unhappy" topics that "North American culture" wants to "ignore and forget."
bullet A fascination with death. They try "to find a different way of thinking about life, like trying to find beauty in life, pain and death. It's all a quest for immortality." (1)