Reading Dante's 'Commedia' through Augustine's hermeneutics of caritas
The aim of this research is to consider Dante's Christology in terms of Augustine's hermeneutical practice. This thesis examines four figures in Dante's Commedia who exemplify reading through proper and improper hermeneutical approaches and how their approaches are related to good and bad forms of love, which Augustine identifies as caritas and cupiditas: Francesca and Virgil from the Inferno, Statius from the Purgatorio, and Piccarda from the Paradiso. This thesis also examines moments in which Dante invites readers to engage with the Commedia hermeneutically. In applying Augustine's hermeneutics of caritas, as presented in De doctrina Christiana, to a reading of Dante's Commedia, this research considers how the Commedia directs readers to conduct themselves toward God and neighbour in accordance with Christ's teachings. Augustine's rules for Biblical interpretation are founded on his gloss on Jesus Christ's words to love and enjoy God on God's own account and to love and enjoy neighbours in relation to God (De doctrina Christiana 3.10.16). Christ's commandments set the standard for Christian morality and provide the hermeneutical key to understanding Scripture and the ideal form of love that Christ himself
Sellgren, Rory David
Reading Dante's 'Commedia' through Augustine's hermeneutics of caritas. The aim of this research is to consider Dante's Christology in terms of Augustine's hermeneutical practice. This thesis examines four figures in Dante's Commedia who exemplify reading through proper and improper hermeneutical approaches and how their approaches are related to good and bad forms of love, which Augustine identifies as caritas and cupiditas: Francesca and Virgil from the Inferno, Statius from the Purgatorio, and Piccarda from the Paradiso. This thesis also examines moments in which Dante invites readers to engage with the Commedia hermeneutically. In applying Augustine's hermeneutics of caritas, as presented in De doctrina Christiana, to a reading of Dante's Commedia, this research considers how the Commedia directs readers to conduct themselves toward God and neighbour in accordance with Christ's teachings. Augustine's rules for Biblical interpretation are founded on his gloss on Jesus Christ's words to love and enjoy God on God's own account and to love and enjoy neighbours in relation to God (De doctrina Christiana 3.10.16). Christ's commandments set the standard for Christian morality and provide the hermeneutical key to understanding Scripture and the ideal form of love that Christ himself
reading augustine hermeneutics aim_consider christology term augustine hermeneutical practice examines figure exemplify read proper improper hermeneutical approach approach related good_bad form love augustine identify also_examine moment invite reader engage apply augustine hermeneutics present read considers direct reader conduct toward god neighbour accordance christ teaching augustine rule biblical_interpretation found gloss jesus_christ word love enjoy god_god account love enjoy neighbour relation god christ set standard christian morality provide hermeneutical key scripture ideal form love christ