Boyle, Elizabeth (2009) Neoplatonic Thought in Medieval Ireland: the Evidence of Scéla na esérgi. Medium Aevum, 78 (2). pp. 216-230. ISSN 0025-8385

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Abstract

I will examine briefly the overarching Neoplatonic structure of the text; then I will explore in more detail some specific instances of Neoplatonic concepts being transposed from Latin into the vernacular. In other words, the text moves from purification (in the removal of bodily imperfections that will occur at the resurrection) to illumination (in heaven) to union (with other righteous souls and ultimately with God).\n The marginal and supralineal notes in die Bodleian manuscript demonstrate a concern with language, grammar, and etymology, which could represent the transitional stage between the expression in Latin of the types of ideas mentioned above by Plato, his commentators, and John Scottus Eriugena on the one hand, and the expression in Irish of similar philosophical concepts on the other, as Irish scholars developed a vernacular vocabulary to express the complex philosophical and dieological ideas of die twelfth century.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Neoplatonic Thought; Medieval Ireland; Scéla na esérgi;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Arts,Celtic Studies and Philosophy > School of Celtic Studies > Early Irish (Sean Ghaeilge)
Item ID:	4641
Depositing User:	Elizabeth Boyle
Date Deposited:	05 Dec 2013 16:28
Journal or Publication Title:	Medium Aevum
Publisher:	Society for the Study of Mediaeval Languages and Literature
Refereed:	Yes
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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