Associations in Late Medieval Art of Memory (examples of the Czech lands)

Abstract

Using two late medieval treatises from Bohemia as examples, the study presents various ways of creating images in the context of the art of memory, showing a tension between relying on common, generally shared associations which the mind easily interprets, and using rare, personal connections which are imprinted in one's mind more deeply. The tension remains unresolved: both methods are applied in the art of memory, the actual choice seems to be ad hoc.

Both types of associations provide a unique and so far neglected insight into the medieval mind.

Keywords

• art of memory
• medieval Latin
• medieval literature
• medieval Bohemia
• medieval manuscripts
• association
• memory