Medieval Culture Research Articles

Discursive Aesthetic Impact Strategies in Medieval Literary Texts

The paper deals with the matter investigating the nature of the aesthetic impact of the belles-lettres style being generated within the scope of great transfer from high Middle Ages to the start of Renaissance. In course of the analysis, some traditional ideas and terms adopted in the historical stylistics are used. The mentioned ideas turned up into being during the period of its discrimination from other disciplines of linguistic historical cycle. Acquired linguistic independence charged the ideas with the function of marking the borders between the historical stylistics and other disciplines mentioned. One of the markers of the type is the voluminous historism, i.e., co-relationship between stylistic phenomena and the context of their existing. Flexible borders of the latter regulated by targets and tasks of the proper research can be extended up to the certain type of culture. Importance of a special character gained by the medieval culture during the period of the international Gothic dominating when considered as a type of a context necessary for analysing the belles-lettres style generating corresponds to the importance of combining philological and non-philological kinds of practice and induced by the purpose to enrich the analysis as well as to increase the research output verification. It is suggested that the analysis of the elements of another semiotic nature presented by types and illustrations highly important for discursive strategies to influence the recipient should be thought of as an instance of a combination of the kind. One of the mighty instruments of the mentioned sort of the esthetic impact is the medieval illuminated book of the epoch of the international Gothic (XIV - XV centuries) dominating within the borders of European cultural space. Soft power, immanent to it, id est, some ability to modify emotional state of consciousness and behaviour of a recipient is characterised by semiotic attractionness and cognitive power, and embodies one of the type of strategies of the kind.

“It Must Be Preserved”: Adolph Bolm's Revival of Le Coq d'Or

“It Must Be Preserved”: Adolph Bolm's Revival of <i>Le Coq d'Or</i>

Why Medieval Allegory?

Why Medieval Allegory?

CULTURE OF MEMORY AND HERITAGE AS A STRONG CONNECTION – A CASE OF MONASTERY OF THE HOLY ARCHANGELS IN PRIZREN

&amp;lt;jats:p&amp;gt;The paper researches monasteries as special &amp;ldquo;places&amp;rdquo; that are culture bearers from the Middle Ages &amp;ndash; when this type of religious community was established &amp;ndash; to the present day. They are strongly embedded in the identity of a nation in a way that they have all characteristics of tangible and intangible heritage. The paper researches a relationship that monasteries have as a point of gathering, culture preservation, customs and tradition, which contributes to building knowledge about the manner of living in past centuries. A case study, which was used to explore the role of monasteries in a collective memory and fostering of Serbian cultural heritage, relates to the Monastery of the Holy Archangels in Prizren which was an important pillar of Serbian medieval culture.&amp;lt;/jats:p&amp;gt;

THE NEW MODEL OF VALUE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE. HOSPICES AND RELAXING MEDICINE

Abstract. This article discusses some of the philosophical issues of life and health related to hospice movement and palliative, palliative medicine. Bioethics promotes the formation of new values in social and national consciousness, it stimulates significantly the humanization of natural and social sciences, new technologies, medicine and health care, make a transition between the natural, medical, social and humanitarian knowledge, as well as to establish balance between science and morality. Bioethics as a special form of practical philosophy of life teaches that human inter-relation with his own life, the whole biosphere is not only contemplative, theoretical and emotionless, but, being a practical relation, it constantly involves a certain assessment. The philosophical analysis of the problem of euthanasia has shown that the philosophical mind of the 2021st centuries doesnt view death as an alien to human existence, but as an existential component of life itself. Not only the problems of life-death bordering situations are implemented philosophically, but also the existential bases of human life i.e. freedom and responsibility. Today the idea of a humans dignified death is discussed in two directions: as an euthanasia issue and the problem of hospices. In the article an attempt was to give the palliative medicine a philosophical interpretation, the roots of which can be found the Medieval culture. On the base of the formation and development of bioethics in article is substantiated the position according to which the imperative of the contemporary human existence demands a qualitatively new approach to current complicated, global and various issues.

«МОНАСТЫРЬ В МИРУ» КАК ОБРАЗ ВСЕОБЩЕГО ОБЪЕДИНЕНИЯ В РОМАНЕ БРАТЬЯ КАРАМАЗОВЫ THE LAY MONASTERY AS AN IMAGE OF UNIVERSAL UNIFICATION IN THE NOVEL THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV

The article deals with the theme of a "lay monastery" (“монастырь в миру“), which became one of the important milestones of spiritual life and the life of the Сhurch in the late 19th and 20th centuries and which was reflected in the later works of Dostoevsky. According to Russian thinkers, there was an obvious need to overcome the spiritual isolation of the Church, which should show a desire to merge with the world and manifest heartfelt and vital work on this path. However, the new form and way of salvation are seen as an impulse of humanity to overcome the gap and strengthen connections with the Church. Dostoevsky thought that in the fluid and already different spiritual and historical reality, it was of the utmost importance to find or create new ways of salvation and unification. The Brothers Karamazov tells of the increasing social influence of hermits’ (подвижник). Dostoevsky suggested that their influence was utilitarian in nature and could be associated with the upper limit of Russian medieval culture in the 17th century, when the cult of saints was significantly strengthened as they were revered primarily as real helpers in secular affairs. Sanctity in Russia was often achieved by following the paths of martyrdom, passion-bearing, asceticism in its extreme forms, hermitry, mysticism and foolishness (юродство) rather than through constant, consistent, and purposeful self-discipline and abstention. However, the unifying factor is "Labor with Christ", where both joy about the world and spiritual ennobling are revealed, as Dostoevsky illustrates a path on which there is the possibility of expedient union between the laity and the Church. In the last chapter, in which Alyosha gathers the children and makes a speech, the mission of the "lay monastery" is carried out, because he manages to unite people in the name of Ilyushechka and his expected resurrection, thus, in the name of Christ. Each thing, having an absolute meaning, exists not only in a passive correlation to the other, but also takes action, fills it up and is being filled up. Only in a universal synthesis of this type, does the true miracle of universal interconnection live. Here, we are witnessing the mysterious communion of the boys and their entry into the mystical Church. One can use Lurie's successful comparison of two ways of life, secular and monastic, with Law and Grace (159). The lay monastery corresponds to the meeting of the Old Testament law and evangelical freedom, as two Christian paths that should exist in constant conjunction. Dostoevsky's thesis once again confirms the idea of Solovyov: "The Church is there where the people are, united by mutual brotherly love and free unanimity, who become a receptacle of God's grace, which is the true essence and vital principle of the Church, that forms one spiritual organism" (1914, 4: 658).

A manuscript present: translatio, media, and mediation in early medieval hispanolatin book culture

ABSTRACT The culture of our digital age has a wide streak of nostalgia for digits of flesh, blood, and bone. A good present moment, then, for a present of manuscript. The manuscript codex was digital before we were—only, the digits that made it were flesh and blood fingers instead of zeros and ones. The illuminated codices of early medieval Latin Iberia are particularly articulate about their own status as handmade, handwritten objects. This essay studies what they have to offer us as we think about media, mediation, and textual mobility in our “digital” age.

Hypotheses of urban regeneration. Small towns in the Veneto region, Italy

This work considers the small towns of the Veneto region, Italy, as a case study, concentrating analysis and proposals for a new urban design on areas that has been affected by a rapid post 2nd world war reconstruction and by following building speculation, thus losing their organic unity with the surrounding parts. The violence that often characterizes the insertion in the twentieth century of disproportionate volumes into the urban fabric inherited from the medieval culture and enriched by Renaissance masterpieces is easily recognizable. This is the reason why a lower standard of living is now perceived, if we accept the idea that standard of living is proportionated to the level of culture expressed by the context. The methodology looks at the town as a result of its spatial structure. More than political, social, and economic systems, reasons for its special nature can be found because of its constancy. Planning new buildings starts from understanding the context, that is, its physical structure. The method adopted is based on studying the history of the place to understand the urban morphology of it. The physical specificity of the urban form is explored with the aim of elaborating a design process to reinforce the public space as a reference point for the community. The spatial aspects and formal image of the transformations have been studied as a premise for the design of the new architecture that has developed because of necessity and the events that have occurred in the territory. Intervening through a process of urban redevelopment inside the city involves measuring according to the values that have become rooted in the areas with the passage of time. Good regeneration practice must not leave recovering the old together with its values out of consideration. This point of view leads us to consider that urbanism as a group of skills and bureaucratic apparatuses must occupy itself with the city and above all with its formal structure rather than be occupied so much with the contents of the legal, financial-economic, and administrative order.

Acoustic to Electronic and Public to Private: An Introduction to Music in the Great Expansion (1700–2100 CE)

Acoustic to Electronic and Public to Private: An Introduction to Music in the Great Expansion (1700–2100 CE)

From Modernity to Ecological Civilization

Abstract This short article was originally delivered as a lecture in China. The article sketches a process view of history from ancient to medieval civilization, to modernity in two major phases, and to the current transition to a constructive postmodern, ecological civilization.

Medieval Studies and Medievalism: Choosing Good Texts for ESL and General Education Students in Taiwan

This essay uses Brian Helgeland’s movie A Knight’s Tale (2001) as an example of modern medievalism and of a good choice for ESL and general studies students. Drawing on experiences from a course on films and television shows about the Middle Ages, taught at a technology university in Taiwan, I explore how this kind of class benefits Taiwanese ESL students, arguing in particular that a medievalism course can help both teachers and students to reflect on: (1) the need students have for some knowledge of medieval culture, which, entangled as it is in contemporary pop culture, they will encounter frequently in the films, TV shows, and video games that they enjoy; and (2) the need to think carefully about which texts to choose for ESL study.

ИСТОРИЧЕСКОЕ ПРОСТРАНСТВО В СОВРЕМЕННОМ ИСТОРИЧЕСКОМ ЗНАНИИ

The paper considers some problems of learning Historical Space, which is one of the modern historical knowledge’s directions. In the mid-twentieth century, F. Brodel foregrounded matter of Historical Space social component. Understanding of different globalization’s scope, correlation between national and supranational, special features of developing different nations becomes more and more demanding in modern social, humanitarian knowledge. In methodology topic geographical space is limited by social interaction, and in certain way, transforming into historical space. Subject field of Historical Space anyway is sociocultural and defines features of social community’s existence. Boarders of community forms chains of interaction, also forms limits of real individuals’ behaviour and their interpersonal relationships. Nature of Historical Space’s subject produces the problem of correlation between sociological and anthropological approach. The importance of anthropological episteme, the profound unconscious basis of social practises, is more and more visibly in modern historical knowledge (I.M Savelieva). Lack of attention to such basis became an object of criticism Brodel’s «geohistory» and his irrecognition of history of mentalities as a subject defining main directions of social development. With specific examples, P.U. Uvarov considers the process of establishment medieval civilization in the context of epoch different social communities’ interactions. Relocation of nomadic civilizations from East and Central Asia to the West led to fundamental changes in landowner’s society in the West of Eurasia. In this area were formed circumstances, that provided effective interaction between individual and society in space of parish and manor, these two centers of power and influence, in the condition of weak government. Way of thinking in the region guaranteed creative potential of social contradictions. Spain’s loss of power and wealth by the end of XVI century was analyzed through perception of the world so-called picaro, the peninsula citizen, disrupted his entire routine, the keeper of social negative attitudes of mind and behavior, by I.U. Nikolaeva. Time and space perspectives of learning Historical Study with appropriate multidisciplinary approach gain new heuristic potential.

Gambling in Taverns : Reflections on the Notion of Play in Persian Culture

Abstract This article treats the notion of “play” in various cultural domains, ranging from exegesis of the Quran, to “mirror for princes” and medieval mystical poetry. The article emphasizes the importance of play for medieval court culture and how a distinction was made between mind games such as chess and backgammon and physical games such as polo. The intriguing aspect of such treatments of games is that they are connected to pleasure and pastimes where a strong fear of gambling exists. The article also briefly deals with the tensions between theological views on play and the popularity of various sorts of play at Persian courts such as chess, backgammon, literary riddles, and polo. While these are actual games in Persia, their poetic and aesthetic aspects are also discussed. For instance, many references are made to polo in an allegorical sense in which the polo ball becomes a metaphor for the head of the lover and the polo stick the hair of the beloved. The article concludes with an analysis of the notion of play in Islamic mysticism, especially in the works of the twelfth-century poet Farīd al-Dīn ʿAṭṭār (d. 1220).

Medicine at Monte Cassino: Constantine the African and the Oldest Manuscript of his Pantegni. By ErikKwakkel and FrancisNewton, with a preface by Eliza Glaze. Speculum Sanitatis: Studies in Medieval and Early Modern Medical Culture (500–1800) 1. Turnhout: Brepols. 2019. xxxvi + 255 pp. €80. ISBN 9 78 250357921 4.

Medicine at Monte Cassino: Constantine the African and the Oldest Manuscript of his Pantegni<b>.</b> By ErikKwakkel and FrancisNewton, with a preface by Eliza Glaze. Speculum Sanitatis: Studies in Medieval and Early Modern Medical Culture (500–1800) 1. Turnhout: Brepols. 2019. xxxvi + 255 pp. €80. ISBN 9 78 250357921 4.

“Reading mysterious Chersonesos writings”. Interactive excursion-play around cultural heritage objects of Byzantine Chersonesos (part 2)

The proposed scenario of the interactive excursion-performance is designed for a children's audience of 9–11 years. The route is planned as a tour of the historical and cultural space, and reinvigoration of this Byzantine city. Thus, the excursion content is realized by means of a visual and associative consequence connected with the places of interests artistic artifacts: Christian character images reveal the world views of the medieval culture. The project is part of the academic partnership program of the Russian State Pedagogical University named after A.I. Herzen with the historical and archaeological museum-reserve “Chersonesos Tauric” and is implemented during visiting summer practices of bachelors of the Department of Theory and History of Culture.

The Study of Non-Ferrous Metal Artifacts of the Early Iron Age and Medieval Cultures in the Western Amur Basin

We describe the morphological and quantitative characteristics, and the elemental composition, of 23 bronze artifacts, seven silver ones, and a gold adornment, spanning the period from late 11th century BC to 15th century AD. These items (adornments and tools) belong to the Uril and Talakan cultures of the Early Iron Age, Mikhailovka, Mohe, and Central Asian cultures of the Early Middle Ages, and the Ducher culture of the Late Middle Ages. Elemental analysis of the bronze items at the SB RAS Institute of Nuclear Physics Siberian Center for Synchrotron and Terahertz Radiation Station of Local and Scanning X-Ray Fluorescence Elemental Analysis showed that over about 2.5 thousand years, tin-lead or lead-tin bronze was used for manufacture. Also, the best convergence of concentrations of chemical elements for Talakan and Mikhailovka artifacts testifies to evolutionary continuity between the Talakan and Mikhailovka cultures. Analysis of the elemental composition of Mohe silver and gold items from the Amur basin was carried out for the first time, revealing the high purity of precious metals used for manufacturing early medieval jewelry.

Barthes and Mouvance

ABSTRACT In this article I consider, through the example of mouvance, both Roland Barthes’s engagement with medieval culture and the contribution that medievalists can make to Barthes studies. The term mouvance was proposed by Paul Zumthor to account for textual instability in a pre-print age of often anonymous texts. Barthes uses Zumthor’s term twice, in a lecture from Comment vivre ensemble (How to Live Together) given on February 2, 1977. Focusing on these occurrences, I show how Barthesian mouvance shares with Zumthor’s definition an emphasis on instability, while also acting as a gloss on one of Barthes’s own terms: idiorrythmie (idiorrhythmy). Barthes’s use of the term mouvance is one striking example of his own engagement with contemporary medieval scholarship. Yet I also argue that mouvance, for Barthes, is a matter of form as much as content. Accordingly, I suggest that medievalists, and the notion of mouvance, can help respond to editorial challenges surrounding Barthes’s work, especially in the case of posthumously published texts with oral origins that exist in several different versions.

Formation of the "Self-Made-Man" Idea in the Context of the Christian Middle Ages

The purpose of this article is to analyze the variability of the "Self-made-man" idea in the context of the Christian Middle Ages in its primarily historical and philosophical presentation. Research is based on the historical and philosophical analysis of the medieval philosophy presented foremost by the works of Aurelius Augustine, P. Abelard, Thomas Aquinas, and also by the modern researches of this epoch. Theoretical basis. Historical, comparative, and hermeneutic methods became fundamental for this research. Originality. The conducted analysis allowed to draw a conclusion that, despite the still existing view of the Middle Ages as a kind of an ideological gap in the formation of the self-determination idea, the Christian philosophy of this period not only does not reject but also gives essentially the universal character of the ancient intention to recognize the individual’s right to self-determination and self-government, makes it not only religiously acceptable but also obligatory. Conclusions. Despite to general theocentrism, providentialism and fatalism of Christian medieval philosophy and culture in general, at its epicenter there is a man of a special type, focused on preserving spiritual autonomy and identity in the social dimensions of their existence, and at the same time, on personal responsibility for their own destiny. Such focus became a logical and somewhat unexpected result of the complex interaction of numerous factors of medieval culture, as well as the ideas and intentions inherited from Antiquity. In particular, the idea that a person who does not act freely cannot be morally responsible for what he does, as well as the intentions of the ancient sage to autonomy, autarky, and apoliticism. In the Middle Ages, this intention became essentially universal, as it became a right, even an obligation of every Christian to be free, at least from the worldly, in determining and realizing his own destiny. The gradual compromise recognition that personal salvation is possible only as a result of synergy, i.e. the co-participation of God’s grace and human freedom, legitimizes and strengthens its focus on active personal efforts and personal responsibility for one’s own salvation, in fact for one’s own destiny. All this in historical perspective was found in its radicalized and purified from all sorts of mystical and religious layers of expression in the idea of "Self-made-man".

“Reading mysterious Chersonesos writings”. Interactive excursion-play around cultural heritage objects of Byzantine Chersonesos (part 1)

The proposed scenario of the interactive excursion-performance is designed for a children's audience of 9–11 years. The route is planned as a tour of the historical and cultural space, and reinvigoration of this Byzantine city. Thus, the excursion content is realized by means of a visual and associative consequence connected with the places of interests artistic artifacts: Christian character images reveal the world views of the medieval culture. The project is part of the academic partnership program of the Russian State Pedagogical University named after A.I. Herzen with the historical and archaeological museum-reserve “Chersonesos Tauric” and is implemented during visiting summer practices of bachelors of the Department of Theory and History of Culture.

Jay Paul Gates and Brian T. O'Camb, eds. Remembering the Medieval Present: Generative Uses of England's Pre-Conquest Past, 10th to 15th Centuries. Explorations in Medieval Culture 11. Leiden: Brill, 2019. Pp. x, 339. $126.00 (cloth).

Jay Paul Gates and Brian T. O'Camb, eds. Remembering the Medieval Present: Generative Uses of England's Pre-Conquest Past, 10th to 15th Centuries. Explorations in Medieval Culture 11. Leiden: Brill, 2019. Pp. x, 339. $126.00 (cloth). - Volume 60 Issue 3