"The Great Chain of Being"

The Great Chain of Being, developed in the Middle Ages and understood to be true into the 18th century, was a hierarchical system of belief that was unilinear (one chain without branches). One’s place on the chain was determined by one’s distance from God. To deviate from the chain (attempt to improve your lot, for example), was to rebel (and perhaps bring on tyranny). Notice the three medieval estates on the chain (in italics).

Great Chain of Being

Macrocosm

(Supernatural)

Mesocosm

(Earthly) 

(3 estates in italics)

Microcosm

(Individual)

God
|
Angels
|
Men
|
Women
|
Animals
lion
dog
bug
|
Plants
|
Inanimate Objects
gold 
dirt 

"Clergy" (Clerics) 

Pope 
| 
Archbishops 
| 
Bishops 
| 
Priests 
| 
Laity (non-clergy) 

 

"Nobility" (State) 

King 
| 
Dukes 
| 
Earls, etc. 
| 
Knights
|
Squires
|
Serfs
 (peasants) 

Family

Husband 
| 
Wife 
| 
Sons 
| 
Daughters
|
Servants 
|
Livestock

 

Spirit (Reason)

|

Passion (Emotion)

|

Bodily Functions (Animal-like)