Bestsellers and Masterpieces: The Changing Medieval Canon

Bestsellers and masterpieces: The changing medieval canon explores the paradoxical fact that the texts we consider canonical were not popular or widely read during the medieval period, while popular texts are often overlooked in medieval studies. It offers cross-cultural insight into medieval literary tastes and the political forces that shaped the modern canon of medieval literature.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 16 August 2022
Publisher: Manchester University Press

The intriguing phenomenon of the changing medieval canon is explored in depth in the book Bestsellers and masterpieces: The evolving medieval canon. It delves into the peculiarity that, in both European and Middle Eastern medieval studies, the texts that we currently regard as the most authoritative representations of their era were, in fact, not widely read or even popular during their time. Conversely, the texts that gained popularity, as evidenced by the surviving manuscript records, are often taught and studied with significantly less frequency. This book offers a cross-cultural perspective, shedding light on both the literary preferences of the medieval period and the political forces that shaped the formation of the modern canon of medieval literature.

The medieval canon, a collection of works considered to be of the highest literary merit and importance, underwent a significant transformation throughout history. Initially, the canon was primarily composed of religious texts, such as the Bible, the Qur'an, and other religious scriptures. However, as time passed, the canon expanded to include a wider range of works, including literature, philosophy, science, and art.

One of the most notable changes in the medieval canon was the inclusion of works by women writers. During the Middle Ages, women were largely excluded from the literary world, and their works were often disregarded or ignored. However, as society began to change, and women gained more rights and opportunities, their writing began to be recognized and celebrated.

Another significant change in the medieval canon was the inclusion of works from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. During the Middle Ages, Europe was dominated by the Roman Catholic Church, and the majority of the literature was written in Latin. However, as trade and travel increased, literature from other parts of the world began to be introduced to Europe, including works from Arabic, Hebrew, and Greek.

The medieval canon also underwent changes due to the influence of different religious and political movements. For example, during the Renaissance, there was a renewed interest in classical literature, and many works from ancient Greece and Rome were re-discovered and translated into Latin. This led to the inclusion of works such as Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics in the medieval canon.

In conclusion, the changing medieval canon reflects the complex and evolving nature of society and culture throughout history. It demonstrates the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of women writers, as well as works from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The medieval canon also serves as a reminder of the power of literature to shape and influence our understanding of the world.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526147486