The Medieval French Ovide moralise: An English Translation [3 volume set]

The Ovide moralisé is a fourteenth-century French poem that retells and explains Ovid's Metamorphoses for a Christian audience, combining related texts to express God's truth. This three-volume set offers the first English translation, based on the complete edition by Cornelis de Boer, with an introduction that places the text in its reception, mythological tradition, and medieval French religious and intellectual milieu.

Format: Hardback
Length: 1200 pages
Publication date: 26 September 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

The anonymous Ovide moralisé, penned in France during the fourteenth century, serves as a captivating retelling and elucidation of Ovid's renowned Metamorphoses, enriched with extensive references to related texts. Crafted with a Christian audience in mind, this profound work operates from the belief that every aspect of the universe, including the pagan authors of Graeco-Roman Antiquity, is intricately woven into God's grand plan and inherently conveys His truth, even when unaware. The Ovide moralisé stands as a colossal and groundbreaking synthesis, showcasing remarkable creativity and offering a unique glimpse into the thought processes of a particular era in medieval history. Its significance spans across time and numerous disciplines, including literature, philosophy, theology, and art history. This three-volume set presents the English translation of this immensely significant text, marking the first rendering into any modern language. Drawing upon the only complete edition to date, completed by Cornelis de Boer and others in 1938, it also incorporates more recent editions and numerous manuscripts. Accompanied by a substantial introduction, the translation contextualizes the Ovide moralisé within the reception of Ovid, the mythographical tradition, and the religious and intellectual milieu of medieval France. Extensive notes provide insights into textual issues and sources, while also linking the text to key theological concepts explored by figures such as Bonaventure and Aquinas.

Weight: 1g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781843846536