History, Anthropology, Religions

The course aims to analyze Western Christian mystical traditions from the 13th to the 15th centuries, spanning the Middle Ages to the onset of the modern age. The course will cover the Beguines and the mystical speculation of Meister Eckhart. A special focus will be given to the Italian experience marked by the the religious and political insights of Catherine of Siena. The course concludes at the dawn of the modern age, highlighting the pivotal contributions of Nicholas of Cusa and Erasmus of Rotterdam. Throughout the course, we will distinguish the various mystical experiences, particularly emphasizing the following themes: speculative mysticism and the role of intellect; the significance of asceticism and mortification; the female experience, including its representation and voice; and the mystical body and its connection to power.