Defining and shaping the moral self in the ninth century : evidence from baptismal tracts and the reception of Augustine's De Trinitate
Kelly Guenther
This dissertation explores concepts of the self in ninth century, specifically the
Carolingian Empire. work begins with a review scholarship on medieval
self. Much this concept has tended to focus twelfth century. As I
hope demonstrate, however, ninth-century writers were just as interested their own
constructions self. Ninth-century treatments unique and thus
offer us great deal insight into mentalities time. I also examine ninthcentury
vocabulary self, focusing language inherited from patristic and
early medieval writers, especially Gregory Great, way which this
vocabulary was adapted by Carolingian writers.
Throughout body dissertation, two main bodies texts: ninthcentury
uses Augustine's De Trinitate baptismal expositions
recently edited Susan Keefe. Both sets texts illustrate ways the
moral both defined shaped The De
Trinitate mainly concerned monastic while baptismal
expositions allow glimpse churchmen perceived lay self.
I conclude briefly looking ahead middle century the
controversies surrounding Gottschalk. question moral at centre
of these debates, thus demonstrates importance to
the have included an appendix my translation sections the
bapti sma! expositions