Mirroring Belief: Marguerite de Navarre's Devotional Poetry

Abstract

Offering new readings of Marguerite de Navarre's verse works by situating them within their contemporary religious and literary context, this work reviews theological and mystical writings, but pays particular attention to the devotional writing which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries and which is virtually unknown today. Four theological issues central to the Reformation are discussed: the nature of justification; the role of the Church and the sacraments; the problem of faith and works; and the question of the Bible and its interpretation. Examining the religious structures and language that inform de Navarre's poems and plays, Ferguson draws conclusions regarding the author's religious beliefs as they are mirrored in her poetry. This text should be of interest to students of French Renaissance literature.