Franciscus Idiota – Contextual Meanings and Hagiographic Interpretations

Abstract

Among many epithets characterizing St. Francis of Assisi in medieval Latin literature the term idiota can be distinguished. Due to its semantic ambiguity, it is not only intriguing but, in the first place, presents difficulties to the translators. In response to a question about what the characteristics of a hero determined this way are,  it is helpful to recall the etymology and original meanings of the Greek term ἰδιώτης and its biblical applications. Dittological self-definitions: ignorans et idiota, idiota et subditus, simplex et idiota used in the writings of Francis are claiming on careful analysis, not only at the semantic level, but also the syntactic and the pragmatic as well. Characteristic phrases adopted by biographers assume new functions typical of hagiographic literature. To understand them well, it is necessary to take into account the extra-textual knowledge concerning the existential situation of the author, the nature and purpose of his expression and the cultural context of the era. The complexity of these issues is the subject of this study.