This thesis explores the soul-body dynamic and motherhood in seventeenth-century literature. The topics examined in each chapter demonstrate the spiritual importance of the womb in particular across a range of literary texts from the period. I analyse both male-authored and female-authored texts that discuss women’s bodies, and I support each argument by referencing theological and medical...
This thesis looks at the search for the true self as taken by the renowned contemplative writer, Thomas Merton (1915-1968), and the nineteenth century artist Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890). These two are observed side by side as pilgrim figures, journeying and struggling through high and low times of joy and suffering, evidencing the experience of the dark night of the soul as a key facet to any...
The intellect has a unique role in the mystical transformation. Mystics claim that the intellect as a mystical tool leads to the perfection of the self. The state of perfection is achieved when the true human essence and meaning are realised through this mystical intellect. Thus, mysticism has a rational aspect to it which can be defined in terms of the role the intellect in the mystical...