A Literary and Critical Study of the Natalicia Composed by Saint Paulinus of Lola

Abstract

In this treatise we shall endeavor to set forth the contribution made by Saint Paulinus of Nola to early Christian poetry. The principal sources at our disposal for a literary study of this author’s works are as follows: the "Corpus Vienna," Volume XXX; Migne, Volume LXI. Although the first of these sources is a later edition, nevertheless the differences existing in the two texts are negligible. Migne's edition contains most of the matter of former editions. In it matters of reference are inaccurate in some passages; likewise the index lacks the quality of exactness. However, as a whole, the volume presents a body of literature comprising all the extant prose and poetry composed by Paulinus. |A secondary purpose of this dissertation is to portray the exemplary character of Saint Paulinus, bishop of Nola, and that of Saint Felix, the subject of the "Natalicia." The standard source-material which we have employed to sketch the life of Paulinus is Buse's "Paulin und seine Zeit," Volumes I and II. This author of the last century has assembled with painstaking care, great moderation, and critical judgment all that can possibly be known concerning Paulinus. As regards the character study of Saint Felix, we intend to depict this martyr and confessor through the analysis of the "Natalicia." They show forth at considerable length the admirable virtues, activities, and also the martyrdom of this saint. |The "Natalicia" are also the subject of our choice in the field of Paulinus' poetry for this reason: they form a well-rounded unit of his most exquisite poems. It is not our intention to exhaust the possibilities in the literary analysis which we are undertaking. Rather, we wish to present a general view of the whole, together with specific instances to illustrate some of the outstanding characteristics contained in the verses. |By perusing the five thousand lines of the "Natalicia," which comprise approximately half of Paulinus' poetry, we hope to be enabled to sketch adequately the wealth and depth of his 'works. It is also our plan to make better known this poet, comparable to the great Prudentius, inasmuch as his life and works are insufficiently read, even among the group of scholars engrossed in the realm of literature.