French Literature Reviews - 2026
A. Gennaï, L’Idéal du repos dans la littérature française du xvie siècle
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Aldo Gennaï, L’Idéal du repos dans la littérature française du xvie siècle
Paris: Éditions Classiques Garnier, coll. "Bibliothèque de la Renaissance", 2012.
543 p.
Price: 59 EUR.
EAN13: 9782812403453.
Publisher's overview:
Heir to the Roman otium, the Greek scholè, and the medieval vacatio, the repose aspired to by the sixteenth century is a matter of salvation: the salvation of the quies animi of the humanist engaged in worldly affairs, and the salvation of the Christian preparing his soul's eternal rest here on earth. This study examines the issues, values, and representations that define the ideal of repose for the men of letters of the French Renaissance.
Aldo Gennaï examines how sixteenth-century French writers conceptualized tranquility, tracing the evolution of classical and medieval notions like the Roman otium, the Greek scholè, and the medieval vacatio. Situated within Renaissance intellectual history, the volume analyzes the spiritual and ethical dimensions of peace, contrasting the worldly engagements of humanists seeking mental equilibrium with the devout Christian pursuit of eternal salvation through earthly preparation. This rigorous scholarship illuminates the shifting values of an era marked by deep religious and civic transformation.
This detailed exploration is well-suited for scholars, graduate students, and researchers focusing on French Renaissance literature, intellectual history, and early modern cultural studies. By investigating the complex representations of repose in sixteenth-century texts, the book provides valuable perspective on how writers navigated the tensions between active public service and contemplative withdrawal. It serves as an essential resource for understanding the philosophical traditions that shaped early modern European thought and literary expression.