O esplendor de uma outra ordem: natureza e educação na Cosmografia (1147) de Bernardus Silvestris

Abstract

This monograph seeks to understand the changes that occurred in the poetic and philosophical tradition of medieval imagery regarding the conception of Nature, more specifically, the exact meaning of the resignification that this idea undergoes in the work Cosmography (1147), by Bernardus Silvestris, through his representation of Natura character. Apparently, this grammar teacher and medieval writer lived between 1085 and 1178, his work represents a link in the chain that, from a historical-literary and philosophical point of view, connects the final phase of Antiquity to the low Middle Ages and appears as a one of the most well-finished cultural and literary products of what was later called, by 19th century historiography, the 12th century renaissance. This denotes its importance for understanding the classical tradition in the Middle Ages. Since the imitation of ancient authors was an important element of European literary creation in the central medieval period, the investigation of the material and intellectual context that allowed Bernardus to write his work and create his character is essential to achieving our objective. Furthermore, relating it to part of the Latin literature produced in cathedral schools is an indispensable means of understanding the process of formalizing the medieval cosmic model through allegory and the production of symbols, its reproduction through the teaching of grammar and disputes. around its current understanding – doctrinal and corporate conflicts. Likewise, reading and analyzing the role played by the character Natura in relation to the other characters represented, with consideration of the meaning and function performed by them, is equally fundamental to developing the educational conception expressed through this protagonist. Thus, we will be able to understand how to make poetic of a man of knowledge from the 12th century represented, not only his forma mentis, much less just the hegemonic thought, but also a significant change that those men of knowledge of the central medieval period went through regarding vision of nature.