On Fri, 9 Oct 1998, JOTISCHKY A wrote:
> The discussion of medieval views of the natural world has stirred a memory
> of an anecdote about St Bernard failing to notice the beauties of Lake Como
> (I think) because he was so deep in contemplation. I don't remember where I
> read it, and apparently didn't note it down. I would be grateful for the
> reference, if any colleague knows the source.
The story of St. Bernard's indifference to the scenery was made famous by
Jacob Burckhardt in his classic on the Italian Renaissance. Burckhardt
used it to illustrate that awakening to nature that he believed was
typical of the Renaissance (as compared to the foggy, sleepy, mystical
middle ages). What he failed to note, obviously, is that a hagiographer
would have viewed this story as evidence of Bernard's extraordinary
powers of concentration on spiritual matters in contrast to ordinary
people who, naturally, would be totally distracted by the amazing beauty
of the Alpine scene.
Jo Ann
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