The mirror of desire unbidden : retrieving the Imago Dei in Tolkien and late Medieval English literature / Giovanni Carmine Costabile.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Costabile, Giovanni Carmine, author.

Series:

Studies in English medieval language and literature ; Bd. 65.

Studies in English medieval language and literature, 1436-7521 ; volume 65

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973--Criticism and interpretation.

Tolkien, J. R. R.

Image of God in literature.

Medievalism--England--History--20th century.

Medievalism.

Physical Description:

418 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Berlin : Peter Lang, [2024]

Summary:

"The Mirror of Desire Unbidden: Retrieving the Imago Dei in Tolkien and Late Medieval English Literature sets Tolkien's theory of Fantasy against the backdrop of Western history of phantasia, all the way back to the Biblical image of God and the Hellenic concept of phantasm. The historical change into the judgment of the imaginative faculty shaped Christianity in associating fantasy with adultery. The emergence of the fantastic, Arthurian Legend, and Courtly Love in the 12th century might appear a countertendency, but Tolkien rather follows authors like Chaucer and the Gawain-Poet in their refusal of adultery. An investigation into the subject affords to clarify Tolkien's poetics and his theology, finalized to the retrieval of the female Imago Dei" -- Publisher's description.

Contents:

Part I. A history of Phantasia (1000 BCE-1300 CE)

Image and likeness

Phantasia in ancient poetry and philosophy

The original sin of Phantasia

Better to see God in Phantasia

Fantastic apparitions and Féerie

Gold mountains and high fantasy

Part II. Fantasie and Faierie in late medieval English literature and in Tolkien. Marian songs

Elferotica?

The refusal of adultery

Fantoum and Faierie

The one ring of King Solomon

The retrieval of the Imago Dei

Conclusion. The mirror of desire unbidden.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 363-394) and index.

ISBN:

9783631918579

3631918577

OCLC:

1443484878