Details

Subject(s)

• Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel) 1892-1973—Criticism and interpretation [Browse]
• Image of God in literature [Browse]
• Medievalism—England—History—20th century [Browse]

Series

• Studies in English medieval language and literature ; Bd. 65. [More in this series]
• Studies in English medieval language and literature, 1436-7521 ; volume 65 [More in this series]

Summary note

"The Mirror of Desire Unbidden: Retrieving the Imago Dei in Tolkien and Late Medieval English Literature sets Tolkien’s theory of Fantasy against the backdrop of Western history of phantasia, all the way back to the Biblical image of God and the Hellenic concept of phantasm. The historical change into the judgment of the imaginative faculty shaped Christianity in associating fantasy with adultery. The emergence of the fantastic, Arthurian Legend, and Courtly Love in the 12th century might appear a countertendency, but Tolkien rather follows authors like Chaucer and the Gawain-Poet in their refusal of adultery. An investigation into the subject affords to clarify Tolkien’s poetics and his theology, finalized to the retrieval of the female Imago Dei." -- Publisher's description.

Bibliographic references

Includes bibliographical references (pages 363-394) and index.

Contents

• Part I. A history of Phantasia (1000 BCE-1300 CE)
• Image and likeness
• Phantasia in ancient poetry and philosophy
• The original sin of Phantasia
• Better to see God in Phantasia
• Fantastic apparitions and Féerie
• Gold mountains and high fantasy
• Part II. Fantasie and Faierie in late medieval English literature and in Tolkien. Marian songs
• Elferotica?
• The refusal of adultery
• Fantoum and Faierie
• The one ring of King Solomon
• The retrieval of the Imago Dei
• Conclusion. The mirror of desire unbidden.

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Other title(s)

Retrieving the Imago Dei in Tolkien and late Medieval English literature

ISBN

• 9783631918579 (hardbound)
• 3631918577

OCLC

1443484878

International Article Number

• 9783631918579

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