Meister Johannes Eckhart

Albrecht Classen (University of Arizona)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.4.1: German-language Writing and Culture: Germany, 500-present.
Vol. editors: Gerhard P. Knapp (University of Utah), Jennifer Marston William (Purdue University), Herbert Rowland (Purdue University), Jill E. Twark (East Carolina University)

Dates

Born 1260
Died 1328
Activity 1280-1328

Places

Born in Germany
Active in Germany

Activities

Primary

Mystic
Religious writer

Resources

Eckhart's Works

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One of the most mysterious phenomena of the entire Middle Ages proves to be mysticism, which many scholars have already examined, though mostly concluding with either puzzlement, cynicism, or enthusiasm. This does not come as a surprise because modern rational individuals have no reasonable, logical, or critical access to mystical visions and revelations. Many of the medieval female mystics such as Hildegard of Bingen, Elisabeth of Schönau, Mechthild of Magdeburg, Gertrud the Great, Bridget of Sweden, Marguerite de Porète, Catharine of Siena, Julian of Norwich, or Margery Kempe reported of astounding experiences with the Godhead, often in terms of bridal mysticism, that is, in an actually highly erotic imagery through which they tried hard to express what is actually ineffable or…

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2287 words

Citation: Classen, Albrecht. "Meister Johannes Eckhart". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 27 February 2021 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=5554, accessed 23 November 2024.]