L’articolo costituisce un’inchiesta sul misterioso messo celeste di Inferno IX. Viene proposta, anzitutto, una rassegna delle interpretazioni maggioritarie e più rappresentative. Viene quindi approfondita la dimensione figurale... more
L’articolo costituisce un’inchiesta sul misterioso messo celeste di Inferno IX. Viene proposta, anzitutto, una rassegna delle interpretazioni maggioritarie e più rappresentative. Viene quindi approfondita la dimensione figurale dell’episodio, attraverso gli studi di Ohly sulla “tipologia semibiblica”. L’analisi si rivolge a questo punto alle tesi di Tommaso d’Aquino sul descensus Christi ad Inferos, tesi che autorizzano un’interpretazione liturgica e sacramentale dell’avvento del messo. Alla luce dei contributi di Agamben e di Ardissino, il “messo” viene identificato come sacerdos della liturgia del descensus alle porte di Dite.
The paper focuses on Inferno IX’s heavenly messenger, in order to determine his controversial identity. Firstly, the study examines the most accredited and representative interpretations of the episode. Then, after Friedrich Ohly’s studies about the notion of typology, it is shown that Inferno IX is an example of “semibiblical typology”. The analysis highlights the link between the canto and the reading of the descensus Christi ad Inferos given by Thomas Aquinas, which offers a strong argument for the liturgical and sacramental interpretation of the advent of the messo. In the light of Agamben’s and Ardissino’s works, the “messo” is finally recognized as the sacerdos of the descensus liturgy at the gates of Dis.
"The Old English poem known popularly as the "Descent into Hell", found on folios 119v to 121v of the Exeter Book, has to date received little critical attention, perhaps owing to various contextual problems and lacunae on the leaves that... more
"The Old English poem known popularly as the "Descent into Hell", found on folios 119v to 121v of the Exeter Book, has to date received little critical attention, perhaps owing to various contextual problems and lacunae on the leaves that contain it. This first full-length study offers a full account of the poem, together with an edition of the text and facing translation. It aims to resolve some of the poem's vexing issues and provides a variety of possible interpretations of the poem. The in-depth literary analysis seeks to enrich modern scholarly perceptions of the poem, suggest a more appropriate title, and contribute to continued scholarly discussion and analysis of the Exeter Book and its compilation. It provides a guide towards understanding the poem's main theme, presents the text in light of its position in ecclesiastical history, and sheds fresh light into its place and significance within the corpus of Old English poetry."
One of the most controversial phrases in the Apostles’ Creed, currently disputed on both textual and theological grounds, is “he descended to the dead.” This essay will argue that, rather than being a phrase easily disposed of, this... more
One of the most controversial phrases in the Apostles’ Creed, currently disputed on both textual and theological grounds, is “he descended to the dead.” This essay will argue that, rather than being a phrase easily disposed of, this reference to Christ’s time in the tomb is an indispensable affirmation of the atonement’s eschatological character. The burial of Jesus is his embodiment of the already/not yet tension that now pervades the cosmos and the Christian life; his Sabbath rest after his finished work on Good Friday, anticipating the new creation on the eighth day; and his sleep, which reminds Christians that even though we fall asleep our bodies too will be raised at his coming. Holy Saturday is thus thoroughly eschatological and therefore demonstrates that, more broadly, atonement in its entirety should be located in part within eschatology.
