The Consolation of Philosophy: With an Introduction and Contemporary Criticism

by Boethius, Scott Goins, Barbara H. Wyman

Overview

Written in the sixth century, The Consolation of Philosophy was one of the most popular and influential works of the Middle Ages. Boethius composed the masterpiece while imprisoned and awaiting the death sentence for treason. The Christian author had served as a high-ranking government official before falling out of favor with Roman Emperor Theodoric, an Arian. In the Consolation, Boethius explores the true end of life-knowledge of God-through a conversation with Lady Philosophy. Part prose, part poetry, the work combines Greek philosophy and Christian faith to formulate answers to some of life's most difficult and enduring questions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681494760
Publisher:	Ignatius Press
Publication date:	11/15/2011
Series:	Ignatius Critical Editions
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	278
File size:	368 KB

About the Author

David R. Slavitt is a poet and the translator of more than ninety works of fiction, poetry, and drama.

Seth Lerer is Dean of Arts and Humanities and Distinguished Professor of Literature at the University of California, San Diego.

Table of Contents

	Preface	viii
	Introduction	xi
I	Introductory	xi
II	Boethius' Life and Writings	xiii
III	The Consolation of Philosophy	xxii
IV	The Christianity of Boethius	xxxii
V	The Text	xxxv
Book I3
Book II22
Book III47
Book IV85
Book V116
	Bibliography	139
	Glossary	143

What People are Saying About This

A remarkable translation of one of the great masterpieces of philosophical literature.

Henry Taylor

This is a sensitive and readable translation, whose poetic merits place it beyond other translations of Boethius's great text.

Gail Holst-Warhaft

A remarkable translation of one of the great masterpieces of philosophical literature.
— Gail Holst-Warhaft, Cornell University

Editorial Reviews

Slavitt, a poet and translator of over 80 works of fiction, poetry, and drama, presents a new translation of this philosophical classic directed at general readers. Written under the threat of Boethius's impending execution, the work comes on the cusp between the classical and medieval worlds. In alternating prose and verse, Boethius spins a dialog concerning the harsh vicissitudes of fortune and the lasting happiness provided by the life of the mind. Slavitt's prose translation is accessible and makes frequent use of colloquialisms. His poetic translations-too often paraphrased in earlier editions-are not weighed down with attempted fidelities to ancient meter and use contemporary forms to evoke the gravity and grace of the original. While the book does include a brief biographical and textual introduction by Seth Lerer (English & comparative literature, Stanford Univ.), its lack of textual apparatus makes this edition less than ideal for students. It does succeed, however, as a springboard for personal reflection and a source of literate pleasure. Recommended for large public and academic libraries.-Steven Chabot, Univ. of Toronto

Library Journal

A remarkable translation of one of the great masterpieces of philosophical literature.

Gail Holst-Warhaft

It's a remarkable book (though a short one), and its latest edition, rendered into fluid, compellingly immediate English by veteran translator David R. Slavitt, is very markedly the best one it's ever had...Slavitt presents the reader with Boethius brought to vibrant, vigorous life, to a degree that makes all previous English versions seem pedantic and irrelevant. Harvard University Press has crafted a physically beautiful volume, sturdy and small enough to fit in your pocket—an extremely fitting format for a book that's meant to be a comfort against life's ills. Reading this edition, even readers who've never encountered Boethius before will see at once why his book has meant so much to so many people for the last 1,500 years.

openlettersmonthly.com - Steve Donoghue

It's a remarkable book (though a short one), and its latest edition, rendered into fluid, compellingly immediate English by veteran translator David R. Slavitt, is very markedly the best one it's ever had...Slavitt presents the reader with Boethius brought to vibrant, vigorous life, to a degree that makes all previous English versions seem pedantic and irrelevant. Harvard University Press has crafted a physically beautiful volume, sturdy and small enough to fit in your pocket—an extremely fitting format for a book that's meant to be a comfort against life's ills. Reading this edition, even readers who've never encountered Boethius before will see at once why his book has meant so much to so many people for the last 1,500 years.
— Steve Donoghue

openlettersmonthly.com

This is a beautifully made little book that I have taken with me on a number of trips, partly just for the pleasure of holding it. At any time I would be glad to have it.
— John Wilson

Books and Culture

This is a sensitive and readable translation, whose poetic merits place it beyond other translations of Boethius's great text.

Henry Taylor

This is a beautifully made little book that I have taken with me on a number of trips, partly just for the pleasure of holding it. At any time I would be glad to have it.

Books and Culture - John Wilson

"An excellent introduction and overview of this important thinker's thought and legacy."-Calvin Theological Journal

From the Publisher

This audiobook was written by the Roman philosopher Boethius while he was awaiting sentencing and execution. One of the last great blooms of classical Greek Stoicism, it is a dialogue between the author and Philosophy, who appears as a woman who leads him to a proper Stoic acceptance of whatever his fate may be—even death. Narrator Peter Wickham maintains a clear, calm tone, as the philosophy requires, and makes the rather stilted dialogue as natural sounding as he can. The argument may or may not be convincing, but it is, in any case, a fine example of classical logic from late antiquity (524 CE). Boethius was ultimately enrolled in the list of martyrs as St. Severinus, having been executed shortly after he finished writing. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

JULY 2019 - AudioFile

This audiobook was written by the Roman philosopher Boethius while he was awaiting sentencing and execution. One of the last great blooms of classical Greek Stoicism, it is a dialogue between the author and Philosophy, who appears as a woman who leads him to a proper Stoic acceptance of whatever his fate may be—even death. Narrator Peter Wickham maintains a clear, calm tone, as the philosophy requires, and makes the rather stilted dialogue as natural sounding as he can. The argument may or may not be convincing, but it is, in any case, a fine example of classical logic from late antiquity (524 CE). Boethius was ultimately enrolled in the list of martyrs as St. Severinus, having been executed shortly after he finished writing. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

JULY 2019 - AudioFile