Because of the moon’s iridescent glow and the magnetism of her presence; not only mariners, vagabonds and gypsies started to find their way to this corner of the earth, but also lost winds, hurricanes, clouds of miracles and unanswered prayers. But to be more precise, a very old man with enormous wings found his way into this town one day.
-Man with the Panama Hat from A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings adapted by Nilo Cruz
Throughout the story, characters debate about who the winged creature is. Is he a shipwrecked sailor? Is he an angel? What, historically, does an angel look like?
This section guides us through the history of angels in art and religion.
The first known reference to an “angel” dates back to approximately 4000 BC in Egypt, known as the “Dancing Goddess.” Dancing Goddesses have been found on both pottery and wall carvings.
Prior to Judaic texts, the Egyptians and Assyrians included angelic figures in their art. After the composition of Hebrew texts, angels can be seen in Roman and Greek mosaics and sculptures
Angels – angelic figures – figure prominently in Christian, Judaic, Muslim, Mormon, and even Hindu theology. Zoroastrianism, a Persian religion circa 1000 BC, develops the notion of a monotheistic system and the idea of good and evil angels. The earliest reference to angels in the Bible is to cherubim in the Book of Genesis. In the Old Testament they serve primarily as warriors of God, as in Michael.
In the New Testament, Angels began to take on the role of messengers, as in Gabriel.
In the Renaissance, a shift in angel gender occurred beginning with the archangel Gabriel.
Much lore suggests that most angels have pure wings, like those of a dove or eagle; whereas “fallen angels” have ragged, disfigured wings, bat wings, or the wings of scavenger birds. As you read the story and see the play, decide what kind of angel – if any - the Very Old Man with Enormous Wings might be.
Tuesday, March 16