This paper investigates the image of the heretic fra’ Dolcino as presented in both medieval documentary sources and modern literature. Using a wide range of documentary and literary sources, at least two images of fra’ Dolcino can be outlined: the first is the ‚sharply defined‘ image of the legendary figure featuring in literary texts such as the „Divine Comedy“ by Dante Alighieri or „The Name of the Rose“ by Umberto Eco. The second, which emerges from historical documents, is the ‚blurred‘ image of Dolcino from Novara, the leader of a heretical sect that prospered between the 13th and the 14th centuries. This paper offers a study of the events linked to the figure of fra’ Dolcino and to his group of heretics, considering both the historical perspective and the quality of the information conveyed by literary and documentary sources.
Wer ist Fra Dolcino? Über die Konstruktion eines Ketzers zwischen mittelalterlichen Quellen und moderner Literatur
Spadaccini, Michele
2021-01-01
Abstract
This paper investigates the image of the heretic fra’ Dolcino as presented in both medieval documentary sources and modern literature. Using a wide range of documentary and literary sources, at least two images of fra’ Dolcino can be outlined: the first is the ‚sharply defined‘ image of the legendary figure featuring in literary texts such as the „Divine Comedy“ by Dante Alighieri or „The Name of the Rose“ by Umberto Eco. The second, which emerges from historical documents, is the ‚blurred‘ image of Dolcino from Novara, the leader of a heretical sect that prospered between the 13th and the 14th centuries. This paper offers a study of the events linked to the figure of fra’ Dolcino and to his group of heretics, considering both the historical perspective and the quality of the information conveyed by literary and documentary sources.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
