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IMC 2005: Sessions

Session 1119: Humanism and the Contempt of the World

Wednesday 13 July 2005, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:Graduiertenkolleg 'Gesellschaftliche Symbolik im Mittelalter', Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster
Organiser:Vera Johanterwage, Graduiertenkolleg 'Gesellschaftliche Symbolik im Mittelalter', Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Moderator/Chair:Vera Johanterwage, Graduiertenkolleg 'Gesellschaftliche Symbolik im Mittelalter', Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Paper 1119-aThe Contempt of the World in Early German Humanism
(Language: English)
Almut Breitenbach, Graduiertenkolleg 'Gesellschaftliche Symbolik im Mittelalter', Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Index terms: Language and Literature - German, Religious Life
Paper 1119-bHumanist Tragedy and the Contempt of the World
(Language: English)
Hartmut Beyer, Graduiertenkolleg 'Gesellschaftliche Symbolik im Mittelalter', Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster
Index terms: Language and Literature - Latin, Performance Art - Drama
Abstract

Almut Breitenbach will discuss to which extent the contempt of the world-literature was modelled on Lotario de Segni's ""De miseria humanae conditionis"". While Italian humanists wrote tracts about the magnificence of Man, the contempt of the world and the futility of human life were still common motives in the early humanist circles in Germany. Their role especially in the early Augsburg humanist group will be explored.
Hartmut Beyer will analyse the Ecerinis by Albertino Mussato who developed a concept of tragedy based on the worthlessness of all worldly goods. This idea of tragedy failed to establish a literary tradition for the following two centuries. The paper tries to give an explanation throwing a light on the ethical dimension and drawing a parallel to the contemptus mundi-literature and its
humanist counterpart.
Philipp Stenzig will give an insight into rituals at the papal court and discuss the importance of age with respect to the orators' role. The areas in which orators and ambassadors were expected to be young or old will be analysed in order to understand the perception of age as expression of dignity or knowledge.