The Monstrosity Within: Spaces in L’Espurgatoire Seint Patriz of Marie de France

Abstract

This article examines the representation of Purgatory as a monstrous space both in its form and in its function in L’Espurgatoire Seint Patriz of Marie de France. This research first looks at the modeling of Purgatory according to human norms of space. Purgatory is then seen as a space that threatens the integrity of the human body, and yet relies on human perceptions to exist. The space is ultimately defined as a pretext to a moral lesson by offering a look into human potentialities.