Microcosmic Architectures as Catalysts for Macrocosmic Visions

Abstract

This contribution aims to analyse the possible influences of the Christian mystical tradition on the late medieval Icelandic romance Nitida saga. The text employs mandalic architecture to construct its narrative space, particularly in correspondence with panoptic visions of the world. The significant aspects that unite this configuration with those elaborated by Christian mystics such as Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) will be highlighted, together with the moral calibre of the characters to whom the vision is entrusted. Through this analysis, the article will also investigate the possible communicative functions of the text itself.

Keywords

• Chivalric literature. Mandalic architecture. Nitida saga. Riddarasögur. Vision literature