Cur scriptor theotisce dictaverit : the educational purpose of Otfrid's Evangelienbuch
The Evangelienbuch by Otfrid von Weissenburg presents a number of problems for modern scholarship. The present study aims to draw together the results of major studies on the work, particularly from the last twenty years, and explain why there is still no consensus as to its nature, aims and literary status. This study addresses itself to these basic questions. Otfrid's theoretical statements are examined. along with the literary, religious and historical background to monastic writing in the ninth century. It is clear that religious and pedagogical motivations lie behind the work, and that the Latin commentaries influence the author much more than either Latin or vernacular literary works, even in matters of structure and presentation. The content of the Evangelienbuch is largely defined by the biblical gospels, but there are differences in the weighting and ordering of material. Thus many of the images Otfrid emphasizes are chosen to illuminate aspects of the teaching and learning process. The contrast between the numbers four and five serves to explain both literary and religious ideas involving evenness. balance and perfection and their opposites. Finally, it is noted that the fifth book of the Evangelienbuch
Archibald, Linda
Otfrid, von Weissenburg, 9th cent. Otfrids Evangelienbuch
Cur scriptor theotisce dictaverit : the educational purpose of Otfrid's Evangelienbuch. The Evangelienbuch by Otfrid von Weissenburg presents a number of problems for modern scholarship. The present study aims to draw together the results of major studies on the work, particularly from the last twenty years, and explain why there is still no consensus as to its nature, aims and literary status. This study addresses itself to these basic questions. Otfrid's theoretical statements are examined. along with the literary, religious and historical background to monastic writing in the ninth century. It is clear that religious and pedagogical motivations lie behind the work, and that the Latin commentaries influence the author much more than either Latin or vernacular literary works, even in matters of structure and presentation. The content of the Evangelienbuch is largely defined by the biblical gospels, but there are differences in the weighting and ordering of material. Thus many of the images Otfrid emphasizes are chosen to illuminate aspects of the teaching and learning process. The contrast between the numbers four and five serves to explain both literary and religious ideas involving evenness. balance and perfection and their opposites. Finally, it is noted that the fifth book of the Evangelienbuch
educational purpose present number problem modern_scholarship present_study aim draw_together major study work particularly explain still consensus nature aim literary status study address basic_question theoretical statement examine along literary religious historical_background monastic writing clear religious pedagogical motivation lie_behind work latin commentaries influence author much either latin vernacular literary_work even matter structure presentation content largely define biblical gospel difference weight order material thus many image emphasize choose illuminate aspect teach_learn process contrast number serve explain literary religious idea involve balance perfection opposite finally note fifth book