Manifestations of diminishment in the traditional terror of the devil and hell in Old and Middle English literature PDF
Preview Manifestations of diminishment in the traditional terror of the devil and hell in Old and Middle English literature
INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. University of Nevada, Reno M anifestations of Diminishment in the Traditional Terror of the Devil and Hell in Old and Middle English Literature A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in English by Suzanne Christensen Crase Dr. Philip Boardman, Dissertation Advisor December 2002 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number 3090875 ___ <8> UMI UMI Microform 3090875 Copyright 2003 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. Ail rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. I \ l \ i K M 1 N» THE GRADUATE SCHOOL M l \ l V \ l >.\ We recommend that the dissertation prepared under our supervision by SUZANNE CHRISTENSEN CHASE entitled Manifestations of Diminishmant in the Traditional Terror of the Devil and Hell in Old and Middle English Literature be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Phj/Llip C. Boardman, Ph.D., Advisor A Dennis J. Cronan, Ph.D., Committee Member Eric Rasmussen, Ph.D., Committee Member Frank Tobin, Ph.D., Committee Member JJL c. TJ JJoohhnn CC.. KKeell^Lyy,, Ph.D., At-Large Member A*. Marsha H. Read, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Graduate School December 2002 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Manifestations of Diminishment in the Traditional Terror of the Devil and Hell in Old and Middle English Literature Abstract The medieval period is renowned for its versatile but often terrifying devil and horrific hell. Nevertheless, Old and Middle English literature betray compelling evidence that both the devil and hell wane in specific and discernible ways. Medieval English literature sponsors a conscious curtailment of these charismatic figures, resulting in the paradox that the very age which shaped a terrifying devil and ruthless hell begins to unravel the web of horror it created. Chapter One shows that the diminishment of hell is preceded by an unparalleled upsurge in the cruelty of hell’s torments in twelfth- and thirteenth-century Middle English literature. The Old English hell’s grandeur and strong sense of place are lost upon early Middle English writers who downplay hell’s geographical paradigm in favor of describing exceedingly grisly tortures not seen in Old English writing. Chapter Two asserts that hell’s overly brutal torments subside in fourteenth- and fifteenth-century Middle English literature as writers use rhetorical devices and non-physical torments to soften hell's program of pain. The exempla also compromise hell's identity as the ultimate nexus of Christian punishment in the earth’s core, as devils move tailored penalties from hell to the sinner’s doorstep on earth. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Chapter Three reveals that Old and early Middle English literature present the devil and demons as bodily beings. But after Church doctrine changed the devil’s nature from material to immaterial, fourteenth- and fifteenth-century writers neglect the devil and descriptions of his person. Because his terror lay in his horrid physical appearance, the devil's palpable ability to terrify diminishes in literature that avoids descriptions of his body. Chapter Four discusses the mystery plays where the devil retrieves his body, but not his terror. While Christian tradition conceived Lucifer’s fall into devilry, medieval English dramatists devised the devil’s fall into humanity. This humanized devil is stripped of his supernatural capacity to frighten; hence, the devil’s traditional nature and terror diminish. Medieval English literature and drama, though fond of the devil and hell, nevertheless inaugurated their demise by chipping away at the traditional notions of a ferocious devil of horrid aspect and fiery hell in earth’s core. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Acknowledgements Thanks go to my parents who taught me the importance of going to college. Special thanks go to my husband. Randy, who must have seen me squander time and work inefficiently, but who steadfastly supported me anyway. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. iv Contents Introduction 1 Chapter One: Hell’s Reconfiguration in Early 14 Middle English Literature Chapter Two: The Dwindling of Hell’s Cruelty in 60 Later Middle English Literature Chapter Three: Diminution of the Devil’s Body in 107 Middle English Literature Chapter Four: The Humanization of the Devil’s Body 144 in the Middle English Mystery Plays Conclusion 185 Works Consulted 199 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. V Figures Devil’s Appearances in Old and Middle Follows page 134 English Saints’ Lives Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
The list of books you might like
