The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius is often considered the most important work of early Medieval literature. The work, being autobiographical, philosophical, as well as literary, has inspired many key medieval people down through history including King Alfred the Great of England, Geoffrey Chaucer, Dante Alighieri, and Queen Elizabeth I of England. Additionally, Both Alfred the Great and Geoffrey Chaucer, made translations of it into English.
The impact of The Consolation of Philosophy cannot be underestimated. Literary scholar, Jay Ruud, believes Boethius was second only to Saint Augustine of Hippo, among Latin writers that so greatly impacted the medieval world *1. C. S. Lewis said of The Consolation of Philosophy ''Until about two hundred years ago it would, I think, have been hard to find an educated man in any European country who did not love it. To acquire a taste for it is almost to become naturalized in the Middle Ages'' (Lewis, 1964. p. 75) *2.
With all of that said, I would like to now proceed in discussing both the author, Boethius, and his masterpiece, The Consolation of Philosophy. As always, I hope you are inspired by my humble thoughts on such a great work.
Anicius Manlius Severerinus Boethius was born in Rome in AD 475. He came from a noble family and was in close relation to two Roman Emperors. When his father died, Boethius was adopted by Symmachus, a noble. In Symmachus's house, Boethius cam to learn Latin literature. Eventually, Boethius arose to political power under the reign of King Theodoric. Accused of treasonous engagements, Boethius was sentenced to death after a prolonged torture in AD 525. It was during the time of his imprisonment, that Boethius penned his famous work: The Consolation of Philosophy.
Boethius describes in his work of how he had been unjustly punished in contrast to many others that had a fairer trial. It is unfortunate, that Boethius was later executed based on a conspiracy about him, that he wished to overthrow his king.
I am not going to discuss each of the song in The Consolation of Philosophy here. Let me just discuss the first two songs, to give the reader brief overview of the book's opening.
In Song I, Boethius speaks to the Muses and implores them to help him with his pen. He speaks of both his old age and his nearness to death. Suddenly, a woman of great authority appears to him and takes command over him. The woman sends away the muses and has him listen to her own lament. After the second song, the woman tells him that now is the time for healing. She, likewise, speaks of how she has protected and sustained Boethius throughout his life. Furthermore, the woman claims that Boethius has forgotten himself, and only by remembering her, will he remember himself. To all of this, Boethius does not respond, though she in turn, says to him, that he is not in danger.
Last, there is much theology to learn in The Consolation of Philosophy. Boethius discusses the role of man with his freedom of the will, and its inclinations towards and evil. To him, a man that is evil is like an animal and devoid of the happiness made possible to humanity through eternal life with God. Subsequently, Boethius attempts to reconcile man's free will with God's sovereignty in his book. Likewise, Boethius believes happiness can only arise from within and not from external goods. His stoic philosophy is a major theme throughout his work. No doubt, the work greatly impacted Christian thought for many centuries.
The use of the wheel of fortune (above) became standard in the Middle Ages largely due to Boethius.
1* Encyclopedia of Medieval Literature by Jay Ruud p. 86
2* The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature by C. S. Lewis p. 75
Further References: The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature by C. S. Lewis.
Encyclopedia of Medieval Literature by Jay Ruud.