<i>Dreaming in the Middle Ages</i> (review)
L. Sharon Davidson
150 Reviews Kruger, Steven F., Dreaming in the Middle Ages (Cambridge studies medieval literature, 14), Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1992; cloth; pp.xii, 254; R.R.P. A U S $ 120.00. This book is not a comprehensive account of 'Dreaming Ages'. Perhaps more accuratetitlewould have been 'Ambivalence and mediation late antique dream theory'. Even so, to given such detailed coverage space allotted no mean achievement. The fifty eight pages notes give some indication pruning which this prize-winning doctoral dissertation has subjected. also boasts valuable bibliography passable index. Kruger quotes extensively from primary sources, thoughtfully providing translations for all but English. Like so much else intellectual culture, theory was essentiaUy development classical patristic models. After few preliminary remarks on m o d e theories, brief thorough treatment dreambooks then audiences, turns analysis Neoplatonic as exemplified by Macrobius Calcidius. Discussing 'the doubleness middleness dreams', he stresses preference graded hierarchies over stark oppositions. Moving Augustine, Tertullian, Gregory Great that dreams still occupied middle position between true false complicated Christian writers uncertainty divine or demonic source dream. He concludes chapter with Prudentius' Hymnum ante somnum recommends mistrustful vigilance. Macrobius' classification, Augustine's triple vision, Gregory's moral dualism dominated until twelfth century, when Aristotelian medical reintroduced materialist theories. In Aristotle dreams, acknowledges importance theories argues impact limited ultimate incompatibility Christianity. However Church may general, it had leave room divinely inspired visions. does take up question how far Aristotelianism promoted an opposition visions foreign early tradition. H pays particular attention Albertus Magnus Vincent Beauvais, followers 'new science' strong interest dreams. Unfortunately, one problems 151 assessing degree discredited revelation who do seriously rarely bother mention them. Pursuing his theme ambivalence, examines Walafrid Strabo's Visio Wettini Nicolas Oresme's Tractatus de commensurabilitate vel incommensurabilitate motuum cell examples vision form fiction philosophy, pausing way reflect partial truth linked mirrors, andfictionin mind. autobiographical Guibert Nogent Hermann Cologne. s history male tradition work ignores questions social context. Hildegard Bingen's Causae et curae briefly discussed example her use physiological dealt with. Julian Norwich Margery Kempe are mentioned passing show conformity Augustinian Kruger's scholarship impressive choice occasionally refreshing. If thesis continuous ambivalence lacks nuance virtue staying spirit subject tracing important thought. L. Sharon Davidson Department Economic History Sydney Le Goff, Jacques, Intellectuals Ages, trans. Teresa L Fagan, Mass. Oxford, Blackwell, 1993; paper; pp. xxix, 194; 45 plates; ? [distributed Australia Allen & Unwin]. slapdash which, despite reputation its author, did need be translated into original published 1957 now very dated. woolly, opinionated introduction translation, raises than answers, cannot hide shortcomings whose author eschewed hard, critical labour necessary topic. Any 'definition' 'intellectual' excludes Carolingian...
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