Marguerite de Navarre (1492–1547) – best known today for her unfinished collection of short stories, the
Heptaméron– was more closely associated during her lifetime with her theatrical works and spiritual poetry, including the 1531
Miroir de l’âme pécheresse[Mirror of the Sinful Soul] (henceforth
Miroir). While perhaps seemingly a disorganized expression of spiritual uncertainty and ecstasy to today’s modern reader, the poem’s importance not only in the development of Marguerite’s own spirituality, but also in the history of French religious publication, calls for a deeper investigation of its composition, form, and themes.
As one of the earliest religious texts printed in the vernacular, the Miroir’s publication history merits our attention. First presented to the
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Citation: Kendrick, Jeff. "Miroir de l'âme pécheresse". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 19 January 2018 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=38824, accessed 22 November 2024.]
