The History and Anatomy of Auctorial Self-Criticism in the European Middle Ages.

• Superior document: Internationale Forschungen Zur Allgemeinen und Vergleichenden Literaturwissenschaft Series ; v.32
• Author: Obermeier, Anita.
• Place / Publishing House: Boston : : BRILL,, 1999.; ©1999.
• Year of Publication: 1999
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Internationale Forschungen Zur Allgemeinen und Vergleichenden Literaturwissenschaft Series
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (314 pages)

This study outlines the history and anatomy of the European apology tradition from the sixth century BCE to 1500 for the first time. The study examines the vernacular and Latin tales, lyrics, epics, and prose compositions of Arabic, English, French, German, Greek, Icelandic, Italian, Spanish, and Welsh authors. Three different strands of the apology tradition can be proposed. The first and most pervasive strand features apologies to pagan deities and-later-to God. The second most important strand contains literary apologies made to an earthly audience, usually of women. A third strand occurs more rarely and contains apologies for varying literary offenses that are directed to a more general audience. The medieval theory of language privileges an imitation of the Christian master narrative and a hierarchical medieval view of authorship. These notions express a medieval philosophical concern about language and its role, and therefore the role of the author, in cosmic history. Despite the fact that women apologize for different purposes and reasons, their examples illustrate, on yet another level, the antifeminist subtext inherent in the entire apology tradition. Overall, the apology tradition characterized by interauctoriality, intertextuality, and intratextuality, enables self-critical authors to refer not only backward but also-primarily-forward, making the medieval apology a progressive strategy that engenders new literature. This study would be relevant to all medievalists, especially those interested in literature and the history of ideas.

Table of Contents

Intro -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Abbreviations -- Chapter 1: Introduction: Authorship and Authority -- Chapter 2: The Classical Tradition: The Stesichorean Paradigm -- 2.1. Stesichorus -- 2.2. Euripides -- 2.3. Callimachus -- 2.4. Catullus -- 2.5. Horace -- 2.6. Ovid -- 2.7. Apuleius -- 2.8. Lucian -- Chapter 3: The Early Christian Tradition: Logocentricity and Patriarchy -- 3.1. Proba -- 3.2. Augustine -- 3.3. Sedulius -- 3.4. Sidonius -- 3.5. Dracontius -- 3.6. Boethius -- Chapter 4: The Medieval Latin Tradition: The Augustinian Legacy -- 4.1. Bede -- 4.2. Gerald of Wales -- 4.3. Wandalbert von Prüm -- 4.4. Marbod de Rennes -- 4.5. Guibert de Nogent -- 4.6. Peter of Blois -- 4.7. Serlo of Wilton -- 4.8. Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini: Pope Pius II -- Chapter 5: The German Tradition: The World behind, the Cross before Me -- 5.1. Hartmann von Aue -- 5.2. Konrad von Fußesbrunnen -- 5.3. Ulrich von Türheim -- 5.4. Rudolf von Ems -- 5.5. Walther von der Vogelweide -- 5.6. Neidhart von Reuental -- Chapter 6: The French Tradition: Breeding Ground for Misogyny -- 6.1. Denis Piramus -- 6.2. Guillaume le Clerc de Normandie -- 6.3. Rutebeuf -- 6.4. Jean de Meun -- 6.5. Nicole Bozon -- 6.6. Guillaume de Machaut -- 6.7 Jean le Fèvre -- 6.8. Alain Chartier -- Chapter 7: The Italian Tradition: "Always Drawn to the Eternally Feminine" -- 7.1. Dante Alighieri -- 7.2. Francesco Petrarch -- 7.2.1. Canzoniere -- 7.2.2. Trionfi -- 7.2.3. Secretum -- 7.3. Giovanni Boccaccio -- Chapter 8: The English Tradition: "Blameth nat me if that ye chese amys" -- 8.1. Cynewulf -- 8.2. Meilyr Brydydd -- 8.3. Llywelyn Goch ap Meurig Hen -- 8.4. Guto'r Glyn -- 8.5. William Langland -- 8.6. Geoffrey Chaucer -- 8.6.1. Troilus and Criseyde -- 8.6.2. The Legend of Good Women -- 8.6.3. A Treatise on the Astrolabe.

8.6.4. The Canterbury Tales -- 8.7. Thomas Hoccleve -- Chapter 9: The Spanish Tradition: Troubadour's Apology and Misogynist's Excuse -- 9.1. Ramon Llull -- 9.2. Juan Ruiz -- 9.3. Juan Rodríguez del Padrón -- 9.4. Diego de San Pedro -- 9.5. Alfonso Martínez de Toledo -- 9.6. Pere Torroella -- 9.7. Juan de Tapia -- 9.8. Hernán Mexía -- Chapter 10: Conclusion: Gender Differences and General Ruminations -- 10.1. Baudonivia of Poitiers -- 10.2. Dhuoda of Uzès -- 10.3. Hugeberc of Hildesheim -- 10.4. Hrotswitha von Ganderheim -- 10.5. Hildegard von Bingen -- 10.6. Mechthild von Magdeburg -- 10.7. Teresa de Cartagena -- 10.8. General Ruminations -- Bibliography -- General Index.