It is interesting to
see the resurgence of the personification that we saw in Prudentius’ Psychomachia. There it was the virtues
and in Boethius we see the personification of philosophy. Although the absence
of bloody killings of vices is unfortunate, Philosophy still maintains a
hostile attitude. Philosophy talks about the need to deal with the pessimi and
much of that discussion is filled with battlefield vocabulary. Philosophy talks
about being defended (muniti) and contests (certamen) as well as attacks
(grassandi). The beginning of this work is structured as both a defense of philosophy,
but also the need for philosophy to defend itself from those who would doubt it
or attack it. It will be interesting if this sort of dialogue continues on for
a greater period. I also just have to bring up the line because it is the best
line thus far, “Quis, inquit, has scenicas meretriculas ad hunc aegrum promisit
accedere”. Philosophy wants no itty bitty stage prositiutes from messing with
her neophyte. The lady doth protest too much, methinks.
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