Original scientific paper
On the Form and Linguistic-Stylistic Peculiarities in Skalić's Treatise De magia naturali
Ivan Kapec
Abstract
Our scientist Pavao Skalić was interested in defining the sensitive field of natural magic. With his two treatises, De magia naturali and De mysteriis Persarum, he joined a number of Renaissance authors who considered the issues related to magic. Analysing Skalić’s language and style in De magia naturali I tried to answer the question as to Skalić’s inclination to apply stylistic manipulations in view of the function of the subjects he wrote about. The treatise De magia naturali was obviously intended for less than well-educated reader. With that in mind, Skalić used satyrical elements in both form and content. As for linguistic peculiarities, Skalić mainly followed the example of Classical authors, although there are some visible traces and peculiarities of Medieval Latin as well. The question of whether Skalić had used style variations as an eclectic or they had been a common and widespread custom of the period remains to be answered. Comprehension of Skalić’s significance and role in Croatian Humanistic literature should definitely start from a detailed study of his texts. A study of Skalić’s ample correspondence would also be required. On the other hand, it would be very interesting to study Skalić as both a Protestant author and a Catholic one. This reasearch could provide a clearer image of the true value of this controversial humanist’s work.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
74991
URI
Publication date:
4.12.2000.
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