Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Literature by C.S. Lewis
Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Literature by C.S. Lewis is a compilation of work gathered by C.S. Lewis's secretary after Lewis's death. Lewis, as a medieval history professor, had over the years compiled several essays, notes, and other things noting his observations on select works and the greater body of medieval literature. Medieval literature was published by C.S. Lewis's secretary at the allowance of C.S. Lewis's family members.
Artistry and Craft
There are quite a bit of linguistically challenging passages in terms of reference in quoted works not being translated into English; many of them are Latin or Italian and many of the subjects, I wasn't overly familiar with although I knew Dante from other books and have heard of Spenser from C.S. Lewis referencing him before.
After reading this book, I came to the conclusion that I think epic fantasy carries the heart of the past great romantics such as The Faerie Queene by Spenser, or even the heart of Dante's works, the way they were loved not by their fable, but by their heroic and moral core of the characters. In this way, grimdark maybe is the modern version of the anti-romantic.
This book dives into both Dante's and Spenser's work, focusing particularly on Spenser, The Faerie Queene, how to read it, and what makes The Faerie Queene great.
I found the ending chapters the most complex, with the last ones being the most difficult to understand because of, on my part, a lack of general knowledge about medieval literature. Even so, I found it very interesting and enjoyable. I found it to be a stimulating and refreshing read, as this is the first book I've read about the subject of medieval literature. A thorough chapter of the interesting discussion of the difference between medieval similes—one may roll their eyes assuming this would be a dry part of the academic text, but it was one I found difficult but rewarding to read and understand.★★★★
Themes and Messages
The themes of this book are hard to pin down as it is academic in nature, but I will try anyway on account of my own stubbornness in not wanting to break my blog's structure in my posts.
Some themes are how interpretation changes the meaning in works of poetry and other novels; this includes how basic words mean different things or have different associations. Lewis puts forth that we must not see the works from our perspective, but from the intended perspective if we want to read the literature rightly and understand it. This also includes how medieval writers often take the works before them to create a composition that is rich in many ways, how it is usually interpreted based off of the reader's translations and general knowledge and resources. The book covers how to read medieval texts properly, stating that “The unknown cannot illuminate the known,” meaning texts are illuminated by the knowledge we already hold.
C.S. Lewis also mentions the process of the creation of medieval literature as well as how it is different to modern literature: medieval cosmology versus modern cosmology, how they are similar and different from each other. This includes one of the most organized and thorough depictions of angels and the order of the heavenly realms that I have read.
“We can suspend our disbelief in an occasional giant or enchantress. They have friends in our subconsciousness and in our earliest memories; imagination can easily suppose that the real world has room for them.”
A theme I find through most of his work is practically applied to an academic book, which I thought was interesting to see in action, giving his idea new life. The concept of the medieval writer building and improving out of a vast literature before them, certain concepts perfecting them more and more as they go:
“each reviser may improve or correct (and of course misunderstand) his predecessor.”
An interesting question Lewis is asks is: How do you know if you are growing in virtue? This isn't a big part of the book, which I wish it was, but nevertheless stuck out to me.★★★★
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed this compilation of works, even though I was unfamiliar with medieval literature in general. I would recommend this book to any who wants a challenging read, both linguistically as well as in ideas as it confronts modern perceptions of what the culturally medieval period must have been like. Overall, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
Content Discretion:
Death, betrayal.
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