why is augustine of hippo's confessions particularly noteworthy as a literary work? course hero

Augustine of Hippo's biography The Confession reveals a transformation of a youthful sinner to a religious adult. Augustine provides multiple events throughout his life that reveals his belief in God strengthen as he aged. In Book I Augustine looks back to the point where he is a young boy who commits the act of stealing a pear.

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Why did Augustine write the confessions?

Some scholars say Augustine wrote The Confessions to put to rest the doubts of Church authorities about the genuineness of his conversion, especially since he was so quickly ordained a bishop. Previously he was a vocal member of the renegade Manichaeans. In the ancient Roman world, Manichaeans were a rebel sect of Christians claiming privileged, mystical knowledge and refuting many Christian beliefs that were rapidly becoming part of the mainstream. In that phase of his life Augustine had even attacked the views of Catholics. While this may be the immediate reason for writing The Confessions, it evolved into a blueprint of Augustine's vision of the Catholic Church. Moreover, as Latinist and Augustinian scholar Annemaré Kotzé points out, Augustine's conversion story is meant to convert others to his point of view.

What is the confessions of Augustine?

The Confessions is written in the first person and addressed directly to God. Augustine 's work is an extended prayer and intimate conversation with a divine Beloved. Augustine invented the soliloquia —not quite the soliloquy today's readers think of as a monologue, but an imagined dialogue—in the case of The Confessions, between him and his creator. But he also narrates facts about his life, which both he and God already know, so he clearly has readers in mind. He is speaking to those in his own church who are suspicious of the truth of his conversion, but mostly to Manichaeans and other heretics whom he wishes to convert to Catholicism. Thus, portions of the text veer into theological and philosophical teachings or speculation.

Why did Augustine sing hymns?

According to Augustine, singing of hymns and psalms in church was established to allow creativity.

Why did Justinian build the Hagia Sophia?

The Emperor Justinian began construction of the Hagia Sophia in 532 CE to honor his wife who had persuaded him not to abandon Constantinople.

What makes Augustine's masterpiece simultaneously difficult and exciting?

The thing that makes Augustine's masterpiece simultaneously difficult and exciting is its mixed-genre format. I find it helpful to remind myself that Old Testament prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah are also mixed-genre books, as are the Gospels.

What is the primary story that Augustine tells?

The primary story that Augustine tells is not the story of the external events in his life. Instead he tells three more profound stories, all at the same time. One is the story of his flight away from God. For thirty-two years, Augustine led a dissolute life of self-seeking careerism and sexual immorality.

Why Read the Confessions?

I will end by noting two high points of the book, along with a stylistic quality, with the hope that my readers will resolve not to miss the opportunity to read the Confessions. A missed opportunity is a terrible waste.

What is the confessions book?

Like the book of Ecclesiastes, the Confessions uses narrative snatches, journalistic entries, and reflective pieces to tell an overarching story. The book is not organized like a story, but it tells a story. I do not for a moment deny that Augustine is a master storyteller.

Why is Augustine's confessions unread?

I believe that Augustine's masterpiece is a largely unread book because people approach it with the wrong expectations, quickly become frustrated, and leave the book unfinished.

What is Augustine's famous aphorism about our souls being restless until they rest in God?

Augustine's famous aphorism about our souls being restless until they rest in God is part of our cultural heritage. I first encountered it as a freshman in college. But I did not read Augustine's Confessions in its entirety until recently. My reading of this classic was long overdue. All classics yield their treasures more fully if someone ...

What is the starting point for negotiating a mixed genre book?

The starting point for negotiating a mixed-genre book (which literary scholars also call an encyclopedic form) is to regard it as a mosaic of diverse parts. We can also look upon such books as anthologies of separate genres and selections. If we know from the start that the book will be a kaleidoscopic collection of diverse genres instead of a smooth-flowing narrative, we will not be frustrated and will find the variety entertaining (even though the Confessions is a book that we go to in the first place for edification).