Much has been written on allegory as a knowledge tool, i.e. as a rhetorical device that is more a philosophical forma mentis than sheer literary ornament, but similar functions historically found in pre-scientific etymologies remain for the most part uncharted. This book examines texts from classical, medieval, and Renaissance culture with the intent to trace links between etymological and allegorical ways of knowing, writing, thinking, and arguing. To be sure, the rhetorical impact of etymology in ancient and medieval scholars has long been acknowledged. Yet appreciation for such etymologies seems to have been granted invariably with reservations as to their scientific or cognitive worth. Isidore of Seville's etymologies, for instance, continue either to be cited as curious specimens of scientific antiquarianism or to be altogether dismissed on the grounds of semantic and phonological inaccuracy. The present research sets out: (1) to bring into sharper focus the hazy contours of the figura etymologica with respect to allegory; (2) to claim and assess the viability of classical and medieval etymologizing as a dynamic cognitive tool; (3) to appraise the persistence of an etymologico-allegorical modus operandi from the late Enlightenment to postmodernism.
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CARRELLO
COLLANE
SERIES ANTIQUA
BERGAMO UNIVERSITY PRESS
OFFICINA DELL'ATENEO
SCOLASTICA E FIABE
ALTRE COLLANE
ACCADEMIA DI BRERA
SCOLASTICA PER STRANIERI