This paper deals with two different moments in the reception of Lucretius in Christian Latin poetry. In fact, a deep engagement with the De rerum natura can be found both in Carmen 22H. by Paulinus Nolanus and in the anonymous Laus sancti Iohannis, so that we could suggest a close relationship between the two poems: in Carmen 22H., a Christian poet exhorts a newly converted friend to dedicate himself to didactic poetry, avoiding pagan philosophy and Epicurean beliefs in particular, but taking on the role assigned by Lucretius to the poet and his work; in the Laus sancti Iohannis, indeed, a poet who feels still inexperienced and uncertain in faith takes from Lucretius the forms of praising a hero who reveals the Truth to mankind: the figure of John the Baptist therefore overlaps that of lucretian Epicure.
Risonanze e dinamiche lucreziane per la definizione di una poetica cristiana: il carm. 22H. di Paolino di Nola e la Laus sancti Iohannis
Bordone Fabrizio
2021-01-01
Abstract
This paper deals with two different moments in the reception of Lucretius in Christian Latin poetry. In fact, a deep engagement with the De rerum natura can be found both in Carmen 22H. by Paulinus Nolanus and in the anonymous Laus sancti Iohannis, so that we could suggest a close relationship between the two poems: in Carmen 22H., a Christian poet exhorts a newly converted friend to dedicate himself to didactic poetry, avoiding pagan philosophy and Epicurean beliefs in particular, but taking on the role assigned by Lucretius to the poet and his work; in the Laus sancti Iohannis, indeed, a poet who feels still inexperienced and uncertain in faith takes from Lucretius the forms of praising a hero who reveals the Truth to mankind: the figure of John the Baptist therefore overlaps that of lucretian Epicure.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
