Abstract
This article examines the way in which the German Life of Dorothea reflects on its own status as the textualization of the protagonist's mystical experiences. After considering the presentation of Dorothea's interaction with Johannes Marienwerder and Johannes Reyman, the article proceeds to examine the ways in which Dorothea's spiritual career is modelled on that of John the Evangelist in relation to mystical rapture and transformation. However, it will also be argued that the text separates the mystical and the authorial roles of John, mapping the former onto Dorothea, and the latter onto the confessor, in such a way that the two individuals jointly constitute a spiritual phenomenon analogous to that of the beloved disciple. This serves to thematize the communicative difficulties inherent in a partnership in which textualization takes place at several removes from the mystical experience itself.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.