Notker’s Demons: Entertaining and Edifying Charles the Fat through the Gesta Karoli Magni
Klayton Amos Tietjen
This thesis examines the curious depictions of demons found in biography Charlemagne written by Notker Stammerer late ninth-century. The appeared tales that were unrelated to biography’s subject matter. Historians earlier generations dismissed altogether as uninformative a historical understanding Carolingian empire. More recent historians, however, have revived Notker’s text show it has much offer modern readers study shows demon stories are informative for period well. They illustrate special relationship between author and his patron, Charles Fat, emperor who himself was reported suffered demonic assault. Written at Charles’ request, seems inserted enjoyable horror which served instruct entertain simultaneously. analyzes Latin terminology used applies philosophical theories phenomenology order recreate experience these might had on their intended audience.