Texts of the Passion: Latin Devotional Literature and Medieval Society (The Middle Ages Series)

In this book Thomas H. Bestul constructs the literary history of the Latin Passion narratives, placing them within their social, cultural, and historical contexts. He examines the ways in which the Passion is narrated and renarrated in devotional treatises, paying particular attention to the modifications and enlargements of the narrative of the Passion as it is presented in the canonical gospels. Of particular interest to Bestul are the representations of Jews, women, and the body of the crucified Christ. Bestul argues that the greatly enlarged role of the Jews in the Passion narratives of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries is connected to the rising anti-Judaism of the period. He explores how the representations of women, particularly the Virgin Mary, express cultural values about the place of women in late medieval society and reveal an increased interest in female subjectivity. In Texts Of The Passion, Thomas H. Bestul Constructs The Literary History Of The Latin Passion Narratives, Placing Them Within Their Social, Cultural, And Historical Contexts. He Examines The Ways In Which The Passion Is Narrated And Renarrated In Devotional Treatises, Paying Particular Attention To The Modifications And Enlargements Of The Narrative Of The Passion As It Is Presented In The Canonical Gospels. Of Particular Interest To Bestul Are The Representations Of Jews, Women, And The Body Of The Crucified Christ. Bestul Argues That The Greatly Enlarged Role Of The Jews In The Passion Narratives Of The Twelfth And Thirteenth Centuries Is Connected To The Rising Anti-judaism Of The Period. He Explores How The Representations Of Women, Particularly The Virgin Mary, Express Cultural Values About The Place Of Women In Late Medieval Society And Reveal An Increased Interest In Female Subjectivity. He Argues That The Richly Detailed And Increasingly Graphic Descriptions Of The Torments Of Christ In The Passion Narratives Not Only Indicate A New Concern With The Problem Of Representing Pain, But Can Be Linked To The Rise Of Judicial Torture In The Thirteenth Century. . Throughout Texts Of The Passion, Bestul Offers An Articulate And Theoretically Informed Remapping Of The Relationship Between Vernacular And Latin Literature In The Middle Ages. Ch. 1. Introduction: Methodology And Theoretical Orientations -- Ch. 2. Medieval Narratives Of The Passion Of Christ -- Ch. 3. The Representation Of The Jews In Medieval Passion Narratives -- Ch. 4. Gender And The Representation Of Women In Medieval Passion Narratives -- Ch. 5. The Passion Of Christ And The Institution Of Torture -- App. 1. Meditation By Bernard On The Lamentation Of The Blessed Virgin (meditacio Bernardi De Lamentacione Beate Virginis) -- App. 2. Preliminary Catalogue Of Medieval Passion Narratives. Thomas H. Bestul. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [239]-257) And Index. Acknowledgments vii Chapter 1. Introduction: Methodology and Theoretical Orientations 1 Chapter 2. Medieval Narratives of the Passion of Christ 26 Chapter 3. The Representation of the Jews in Medieval Passion Narratives 69 Chapter 4. Gender and the Representation of Women in Medieval Passion Narratives 111 Chapter 5. The Passion of Christ and the Institution of Torture 145 Appendix 1. Meditation by Bernard on the Lamentation of the Blessed Virgin (Meditacio Bernardi de lamentacione beate virginis) 165 Appendix 2. Preliminary Catalogue of Medieval Passion Narratives 186 Notes 193 Bibliography 239 Index 258