Medieval theory of authorship : scholastic literary attitudes in the later Middle Ages / A.J. Minnis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Minnis, A. J. (Alastair J.)

Series:

Middle Ages series.

Middle Ages series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Literature, Medieval--History and criticism--Theory, etc.

Literature, Medieval.

Literature--Philosophy.

Literature.

Authorship--Philosophy.

Authorship.

Philosophy, Medieval.

Criticism--History.

Criticism.

Scholasticism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxv, 323 pages) : illustrations

Edition:

2nd ed.

Place of Publication:

Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press, c1988.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

It has often been held that scholasticism destroyed the literary theory that was emerging during the twelfth-century Renaissance, and hence discussion of late medieval literary works has tended to derive its critical vocabulary from modern, not medieval, theory. In Medieval Theory of Authorship, now reissued with a new preface by the author, Alastair Minnis asks, "Is it not better to search again for a conceptual equipment which is at once historically valid and theoretically illuminating?"Minnis has found such writings in the glosses and commentaries on the authoritative Latin writers studied in schools and universities between 1100 and 1400. The prologues to these commentaries provide valuable insight into the medieval theory of authorship. Of special significance is scriptural exegesis, for medieval scholars found the Bible the most difficult text to describe appropriately and accurately.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Preface to the Reissued Second Edition

Preface

Abbreviations

Notes on Style

Introduction: The Significance or the Medieval Theory of Authorship

1 Academic Prologues to 'Auctores'

2 Prologues to Scriptural 'Auctores'

3 Authorial Roles in the 'Literal Sense'

4 Literary Forms in the 'Literal Sense'

5 Literary Theory and Literary Practice

Epilogue: The Familiar Authors

Notes

Bibliography

Index of Latin Terms

General Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9781283896634

128389663X

9780812205701

0812205707

OCLC:

297380334