A repetition in the Old English Life of St. Margaret that stands out to me is the use of “dumb and deaf” to describe idols. This is a rejection of Pagan gods’ ability to witness, but not their existence. Previous discussions have focused on God’s status as a universal, perfect witness in Medieval thought. Humans may be fallible, but God’s omniscience enables Him to witness. Prior texts, however, have not…
The Consolation of Philosophy deals heavily with the concept of the Wheel of Fortune, illustrating the difficulty of witnessing, at the same time confronting the problem of evil. The Wheel of Fortune represents a seemingly arbitrary dispensation of fortune. Fortune appears to reward, both justly and unjustly. Moreover, fortunes are ever-shifting, rarely perceived to keep people in the same state forever. Philosophy writes, “Who has composed himself in the face…
