Based on thesis (doctoral)--University of Milan, 2014. Includes bibliographical references (pages 253-265) and index.
Contents:
1. Judeo-Provençal Texts on Queen Esther: Dates and Context -- 2. Narrating Purim in Medieval Provence: Wine Songs and Prayers -- 3. Esther, an Inspirational Example of Provençal Jews -- 4. Roman d'Esther: Text, Author, Audience -- 5. Biblical Inspiration and Jewish Themes -- 6. Romanz and Romance Themes -- 7. The Omniscient Author, the Modernization and the Irony -- 8. Maʿasé-Ester or "Esther's Affairs" -- 9. Text, Content and Style -- 10. Metrical Structure -- 11. Between Oral Tradition and Authorial Rearrangement -- 12. A Text in Search of an Author -- The Maʿasé-Esther: Text and Commentary -- Chapter 1. The text -- Chapter 2. Alterations in the Manuscript -- Chapter 3. Maʿasé-Esther -- 1. Text -- 2. Notes to the Text -- Chapter 4. Linguistic Study -- 1. Phonetics: Vocalism -- 2. Phonetics: Consonantism -- 3. Morphology -- 4. Syntax -- 5. Vocabulary -- Chapter 5. Glossary of Provençal Terms -- Chapter 6. Glossary of Hebrew Terms -- Chapter 7. Transcription of the Manuscript Text -- Chapter 8. Transcription in Latin Letters -- Chapter 9. The codex unicus -- 1. The ms. Rome, Casanatense 3140 -- 2. Physical Description of the Manuscript and the Scripts -- 3. Structure -- 4. State of Preservation -- 5. Decorations, Notes and Annotations to the Text -- 6. A Composite Manuscript -- 7. Story of a Book and of the Person Who Wrote it -- 8. Watermarks -- 9. Ms. Rome, Casanatense 3140: Photo-Reproductions of Fols. 190v-192r -- Bibliography -- Index of Special Terms.
Summary:
"The Ma'asé-Ester, "Esther's affairs", is a 14th-century Judeo-Provençal poem on the story of Esther, intended for a recital during the banquet for Purim. The short poem - recently discovered in the single manuscript that preserves it - is a new precious document that enriches a small corpus of medieval Judeo-Provençal texts. This book offers the first critical edition of the complete text accompanied by a detailed study of the sources and the language. It guides us in understanding why the story of Esther became such a popular theme in 14th-century Provence, and in what way the Avignon Papacy and the studies on Moses Maimonides influenced this literary novelty"-- Provided by publisher.
Series:
Etudes sur le judaisme medieval, 0169-815X ; volume 92
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.