This article aims at re-considering some past explanations, also suggesting new reflections, about the so-called “episode of the bull”: a narrative conveyed by the hagiographical text known as Apparitio Sancti Michaelis in Monte Gargano. After a brief consideration of the environmental setting of the narrative, the episode itself is reported and analysed. The analysis focuses on selected topics: the intention of the hagiographer to convey the idea of a cultic substitution in the Gargano, the hagiographical topos of the animal uncovering the divinity, and the possible symbolical assimilation between the bull and the Angel. None of these hermeneutical paths excludes the other: on the contrary, they can fit all together and contribute to a better understanding of the “episode of the bull”.
Il presente lavoro ripercorre proposte interpretative e offre spunti di riflessione sul cosiddetto “episodio del toro”, trasmesso dal testo agiografico noto come Apparitio Sancti Michaelis in Monte Gargano. Dopo aver inquadrato l’ambiente in cui si svolge il racconto, l’episodio del toro viene presentato se ne discutono alcuni aspetti. Vengono considerati elementi quali la volontà dell’anonimo agiografo di trasmettere l’idea di un’esaugurazione cultuale verificatasi sul Gargano, il topos agiografico dell’animale rivelatore del divino, la possibilità di un’assimilazione simbolica fra il toro e l’angelo. Si tratta di percorsi interpretativi che non si escludono a vicenda e non esauriscono le indagini sul testo. Auspicabilmente, anzi, essi possono costituire il punto di partenza per piste di ricerca ulteriori.
L’episodio del toro nell’Apparitio Sancti Michaelis in Monte Gargano: notizie storiche e percorsi interpretativi
CARNEVALE, LAURA
2014-01-01
Abstract
This article aims at re-considering some past explanations, also suggesting new reflections, about the so-called “episode of the bull”: a narrative conveyed by the hagiographical text known as Apparitio Sancti Michaelis in Monte Gargano. After a brief consideration of the environmental setting of the narrative, the episode itself is reported and analysed. The analysis focuses on selected topics: the intention of the hagiographer to convey the idea of a cultic substitution in the Gargano, the hagiographical topos of the animal uncovering the divinity, and the possible symbolical assimilation between the bull and the Angel. None of these hermeneutical paths excludes the other: on the contrary, they can fit all together and contribute to a better understanding of the “episode of the bull”.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.