True, but again, modern concept.
In the Middle Ages, it was the rule that any form of art needed to have as its primary goal some form of education, or practical purpose. Educating the masses about religious concepts, about moral values. Educating nobles about proper noble behavior. Books of hours, the ultimate 15th century manuscripts, had an explicitly practical, often tailor-made purpose.
Seemingly frivolous stories like Ovid's Metamorphoses were read, and no doubt with pleasure, they were still people after all. But the medieval view on art did now allow art mainly for enjoyment. So the classical stories were moralized. Or they were read in the original Latin in schools, in order to study Latin.
There was always a practical reason for art and books in the Middle Ages. The extent to which they enjoyed making these is of secondary importance.
In the Middle Ages, it was the rule that any form of art needed to have as its primary goal some form of education, or practical purpose. Educating the masses about religious concepts, about moral values. Educating nobles about proper noble behavior. Books of hours, the ultimate 15th century manuscripts, had an explicitly practical, often tailor-made purpose.
Seemingly frivolous stories like Ovid's Metamorphoses were read, and no doubt with pleasure, they were still people after all. But the medieval view on art did now allow art mainly for enjoyment. So the classical stories were moralized. Or they were read in the original Latin in schools, in order to study Latin.
There was always a practical reason for art and books in the Middle Ages. The extent to which they enjoyed making these is of secondary importance.