Allegorical Form and Theory in Hildegard of Bingens Books of Visions [Hardcover]

This book analyses how the three books of visions by Hildegard of Bingen use the allegorical vision as a form of knowledge. It describes how the visionarys use of allegory and allegorical exegesis is linked to theories of cognition, interpretation, and prophecy. It argues that the form of the allegorical vision is not just the product of a medieval symbolic mentality, but specific to Hildegards position and the major transformations taking place in the prescholastic intellectual milieu, such as the changing use of Scripture or the shift from traditional hermeneutics to cognitive language philosophy. The book shows that Hildegard uses traditional forms of knowledge  prophecy, the vision, monastic theology, allegorical hermeneutics  in startlingly innovative ways by combining them and by revising them for her own time.1 Introduction.- Integumental Hermeneutics and Prescholastic Philosophy.- Allegory, Language, and Cognition.- Linking Allegorical Form to Allegorical Theory.-References.-2 Vision and Explanation.- Vision and Explanation.-The Function of the Allegory.-The Formal Interplay of Allegory and Allegoresis.- Allegory and Symbol.-References.-3 Allegory as Form and Concept.- Distinguishing Between Allegory and Allegoresis.-Prejudiced Distinctions in Modern Theory.-Blurred Distinctions in Medieval Hermeneutics.- Interactions Between Allegoresis and Allegory.-Allegory as Form: Figurative Language and Levels of Meaning.-Metaphor.- Pun.-Personification.-Metonymy.- Allegory as Idea: A Vital Belief and Conceptions of Allegory.-Language: Suprarealism and Self-Consciousness.-Reality: Fabulism and Figuralism.- Reversal of Values.-References.-4 Exegetical Form: The Eccentric Exegesis of the Homilies.-Creative Allegoresis in the Expositiones.-Multiple Interpretations and Narrative Continuity.- A Formal Definition for the Literal Level.-A Narrative Definition for the Senses of Scripture.-Creating a Narrative.- Exegetical Method: The Miraculous Catch of lÓ(