The Genius Figure in Antiquity and the Middle Ages

Jane Chance Nitzsche

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Medieval Literature and History Renaissance Literature and Culture Historical, Literary, and Cultural Studies

Abstract

Nitzsche's survey of the Genius figure touches on Gower as the last link in a chain of medieval adaptations. After reviewing the Geniuses of Bernardus Silvestris, Alanus de Insulis (Alain of Lille) and Jean de Meun, Nitzsche turns to the CA. Gower's Genius appears to be an Orpheus figure who wishes to rescue Euridice (concupiscence, or Amans) from the underworld of demonic and disruptive love fantasy (128). Gower's poem is original in having Amans, not Natura, complain to Venus. It also offers the most optimistic view of the problem of sin and its solution (133). Amans is able to move from the Venus of courtly love or lust to the Venus of caritas (132). By doing so he becomes a poet, an artificer, a role frequently associated with Genius. [CvD]

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