Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.47960/2303-7431.26.2021.37
HOW BLUE BLOOD BECAME RED
Zdravko Perić
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mate Buntić
orcid.org/0009-0007-3804-5641
; University of Mostar , Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Abstract
This paper discusses the medieval theological and political history, and
the difference between blue and red blood. The popular phrase blue
blood had a special significance during the Middle Ages, and its echo
has been present in our culture ever since. One might think that such
an abstract concept is only an insignificant legend that emerged from
the oral folk tradition without any roots in theory and literature. The author’s
intention is to present the concept of blue and red blood as a part
of fictional genre theory. The fictional genre discourse becomes especially
evident when the king’s simultaneously natural and supernatural
bodies, or more simply, the notion that the king possesses a superbody,
are discussed. In the given period the concept of blue blood, which referred
to the king’s dignity, was coined. Thomas Hobbes, in his famous
work Leviathan, develops the social contract theory, which is used to
explain the development of the modern political community. Blue blood
becomes red when an ordinary citizen becomes involved in politics, as
this paper confirms.
Keywords
blue blood; red blood; persona mixta; gemini persona; kingship; metaphor; political theology
Hrčak ID:
279959
URI
Publication date:
23.6.2022.
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