Amorous Feelings in the Strife of Love in a Dream Survival and Representation of Medieval Cognitive Physiology through Monastic Code
The Strife of Love in a Dream (Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, 1499) is a story of unrequited love. It is widely believed that its author–Francesco Colonna–was a monk; however, there has been no interest in studying the impact of Medieval Christianity and monasticism in the novel. The present investigation exposes the survival of the physiological-cognitive perspective (Galen’s and Avicenna’s legacy) in regard to amorous feelings and their literary representation (through the doctrine of pneuma and to demonstrate the relevance of said knowledge in service to Christian moralizing and monastic training.) To such purpose, a selection of passages from the book alongside with visual resources (illustrations, diagrams, and map) are presented to facilitate general access to the story and so that the understanding of the processes occurring within the inner man be emphasized.
