Situating Hell & Heaven: Immanuel of Rome's "Mahberet Ha-Tophet V' Ha-Eden".
详细信息
- 作者：Fishkin ; Dana W.
- 学历：Ph.D.
- 年：2011
- 导师：Chazan, Robert,eadvisorGriffiths, Fionaecommittee memberScheindlin, Raymond P.ecommittee memberSchiffman, Lawrenceecommittee memberGottlieb, Michahecommittee member
- 毕业院校：New York University
- Department：Hebrew and Judaic Studies and History
- ISBN：9781124807775
- CBH：3466879
- Country：USA
- 语种：English
- FileSize：1602346
- Pages：393
文摘
This dissertation explores the encounter of philosophy and literature in the work of the fourteenth-century author, Immanuel of Rome. To date, no systematic investigation has considered Immanuel of Rome as a serious medieval intellectual, instead noting the bawdy nature of his poetry or his similarity to Dante&rsquo；s Divine Comedy. Addressing this lacuna, this dissertation explores Immanuel&rsquo；s complete intellectual profile by juxtaposing his literary poems and prose with his philosophical writings. A close study of his Hebrew literary journey through Heaven and Hell reveals that Immanuel struggled with notions of afterlife, and proposed a new interpretation of immortality. Using the literary material in Immanuel&rsquo；s Mahbarot, as well as his unedited extant biblical commentaries, only found in manuscript, I demonstrate that Immanuel was a thinker of rationalist orientation. Though gifted in rhetorical presentation, Immanuel explored philosophical issues through biblical exegesis. The sublime theme of Mahberet Ha-Tophet V&rsquo； Ha-Eden provided Immanuel the opportunity to wed his disparate fields of philosophy and literature into a journey tale with moralistic and philosophical significance. Importing his Maimonidean sensibilities, Immanuel created a space where individual and communal morality constitute prerequisite links in a chain to intellectual perfection, and immortality. The journey also transmits Immanuel&rsquo；s harsh social critiques of his contemporary society, revealing the flaws and praises of his peers and enemies alike. Written in melodious Hebrew rhymed prose, Mahberet Tophet V&rsquo； Eden&rsquo；s searing images of punishment and glorious beatitude reflect Immanuel&rsquo；s engagement with rabbinic and Italian culture. His fusion of medieval philosophy, Jewish tradition, and Dante&rsquo；s Comedy serve to highlight that Immanuel was a polymath in an age preceding the Italian cultural Renaissance.