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The Middle English Myrrour of Symple Soules: more than a ‘rhetoric’ of deification?

Abstract:
This essay argues that the glosses in the late fourteenth- to early fifteenth-century Middle English work þe Myrrour of Symple Soules are more theologically coherent than has previously been posited. Focusing on the discussion of “usages” that they contain, as well as on the importance of freedom, a case is made for reading many of the annotations as advocating a Thomist/ Bonaventurean account of deification, that is, an account of deification in which the soul loves God through a created habitus that allows the Holy Spirit to work in it through participation without obliterating it. Although a more theologically conservative understanding of deification than usually posited of the original Mirouer, it is argued that the translator demonstrates concern that his readers understand what it means to be deified in union with God, and as such sets out to offer them more than a “rhetoric of ecstasy.”
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1484/J.VIATOR.5.123300

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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
HUMS
Department:
Theology Faculty
Sub department:
Theology and Religion Faculty
Role:
Author


Publisher:
Brepols Publishers
Journal:
Viator More from this journal
Volume:
50
Issue:
2
Pages:
227-259
Publication date:
2021-02-18
Acceptance date:
2020-07-17
DOI:
EISSN:
2031-0234
ISSN:
0083-5897


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1123120
Local pid:
pubs:1123120
Deposit date:
2020-08-01
ARK identifier:

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