The Splendor of the World's Tree: The Angelic Language of Salvation in Jacopone of Todi

"The Splendor of the World's Tree: The Angelic Language of Salvation in Jacopone of Todi." This essay examines the mystical language of Jacopone of Todi, one of the most important poets of the Middle Ages. For many scholars, the essential contradiction of Jacopone's Lauds is the apparently unsettled relationship between apophasis and language. Jacopone's mystical poetry is usually seen as contradictory and unsystematic. The author believes that in the lauds revolving around the tree image Jacopone expresses a unique form of apocalyptic poetics. Read in the light of Bonaventure's theology, the author shows that Bonaventure's concept of "hierarchic" man is the foundation of Jacopone's expression. For Jacopone, Francis of Assisi symbolizes a human being who has climbed a divine tree of spiritual and linguistic purification and has thus acquired an angelic nature. However, in order to complete his mystical ascension the "concordant" man must share his spiritual insight with us; that is, he must preach the good news. In other words, the "hierarchic" man must overcome silence and express the Word to us.