Table of Contents
Acknowledgements iiiList of Abbreviations v
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction1
I. General Introduction and Aims of Research 1
II. The Pearl-Poet and the Medieval Sensorium4
III. Historical and Ecclesiastical Milieu 9
IV. Contemporary Religious Writings 19
V. Ambiguous Divinity: The Pearl-Poet’s Representation 33
CHAPTER TWO:Cleanness: The Dialectics of Visio Dei, and Ocular Scepticism 40
I. Theme, Structure and Sources 40
II. God Seeing and Being Seen: The Dialectics of Visio Dei 52
III. Seeing, Touching and Believing: Sensorial Scepticism 72
IV. Conclusion 88
CHAPTER THREE:Patience: Auditory Epiphanies and the Dialogics of Interaction 91
I. Overview and Sources 91
II. The Epiphany of the Ear 98
III. Jonah’s Voice 116
IV. Conclusion 139
CHAPTER FOUR:Pearl: The Sensory Itinerary towards Jerusalem 145
I. Descent in the Erber: Corporeal Perception154
II. Advance in the Terrestrial Paradise: Spiritual Perception 169
III. Ascent toward the Heavenly City: Mystical or Psychosomatic Perception 188
IV. Conclusion 205
CHAPTER FIVE: Conclusion211
Bibliography 222