The Role of Dolor in Revenge Scenarios in Historia Langobardorum

What is it about?

This essay looks at the meaning of the word dolor and its role in revenge scenarios in Historia Langobardorum by Paul the Deacon. Firstly, the essay gives context about the text and author before discussing aristocratic honour and vengeance. It then analyses the parts of the text where dolor is linked to revenge. Secondly, the essay looks at how the author presents the emotional script of dolor - the series of events, actions, and interactions that a character experiences when feeling this emotion. Lastly, the essay explores how the author views dolor in terms of social and gender norms.

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Photo by Boudewijn Huysmans on Unsplash

Photo by Boudewijn Huysmans on Unsplash

Why is it important?

it investigates the emotional and cultural aspects of a historical text. It provides an analysis of the language and themes used by the Lombard scholar Paul the Deacon and sheds light on the role of emotions in the context of honour and revenge. This type of research deepens our understanding of historical events and cultural practices and how they shaped the way people think and act. Additionally, the essay contributes to the wider academic discussion about emotions in history and how they impact social norms and gender roles. Moreover, the examination of the emotional script of dolor can help us understand how emotions are expressed and experienced in different cultures and contexts, which is relevant not only to historians, but also to anthropologists and psychologists.